Class rankings are calculated for the first time at the end of the first semester of the junior year. Final rank in class for the purpose of determining valedictorian, salutatorian and top ten percent is calculated at the end of the fifth six weeks grading period of the senior year. Grades submitted after the fifth six weeks grading period will not be considered for class ranking.
Mt. Vernon High School uses a weighted grade average system that is designed to recognize the relative difficulty and effort required for a course. The additional grade point(s) on the grade are used solely for ranking purposes and will not be reflected on the official transcript or Academic Achievement Record.
The class rank will be determined by the highest average of grade value points. Class rank will be determined by the highest grade point average and is weighted. That is, the student in each class with the highest grade point average will rank first in the class; the student with the second highest number will rank second, and so on in descending order. The grade point average for seniors, their class ranks, and their 4-point average will be computed each semester with a final rank being figured after the fifth six weeks. (Also see Board Policy-EIC Local at www.mtvernonisd.net )
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian shall be determined by the total grade point average, based on all four years of high school, provided the students have been enrolled on a full-time basis their entire junior and senior years at Mt. Vernon High School. The Grade Point System referred to here is explained in detail in the Course Catalog. (See Board Policy –EIC Local at www.mtvernonisd.net )
In order for a student to be eligible for valedictorian or salutatorian, he/she must have attended his/her entire junior and senior years in Mt. Vernon High School and completed the Foundation with and Endorsement Plan in accordance with the Texas State Board of Education guidelines. Early graduates or “3 year graduates” are not eligible to be Valedictorian/Salutatorian; however, they will be figured into overall class rank. A student must not have graduated in fewer than three or more than four years. In the event of a tie between the candidates for Valedictorian and Salutatorian, the following process will be used:
1. Computing the weighted grade average to a sufficient number of decimal places until the tie is broken.
2. However, if a tie still remains, the highest numerical average of all level IV courses taken shall be used.
To qualify for the valedictorian/salutatorian speech (at commencement), a student shall not have engaged in serious misconduct according to the code of conduct. Including removal to DAEP, a three day suspension (out of school) or expulsion during his or her last two semesters. The courses shown below list grade point levels according to the grade value point system on the charts. Courses were appointed a level after considering many factors, including the level of difficulty and the amount of out-of-class time required for homework. The level is used to assign grade value points according to the grade earned in class. Any transferable courses, which are not listed on the grade point system, will be transferred as Level II and counted accordingly. Courses not offered at Mt. Vernon High School will be recorded as Level II in calculating grade point averages. Any student taking college courses for substitution, credit recovery, or credit by exam will receive grade value points at Level II of the MVHS grade value system.
For class rank, the following alpha to numeric grade conversion scale will apply to students transferring in from another school district with alpha grades, beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.
A+ 99 A 95 A- 91
B+ 88 B 85 B- 81
C+ 78 C 75 C- 71
D+ 68 D 65 D- 61 F 59
Courses taken in Junior High, for High School credit, will not be included in the student’s final GPA, weighted or unweighted, and the students' final class ranking. Summer school for high school credit is not a part of the ranking.
GPA – 4 POINT AVERAGE – GPA is unweighted and is determined by assigning 4 points to each A, 3 points to each B, 2 points to each C, and average the total points by the number of courses.
GRADE POINT SYSTEM (2024-2025)
Numerical Grade Level I Level II Level III
100 4.0 5.0 6.0
99 3.9 4.9 5.9
98 3.8 4.8 5.8
97 3.7 4.7 5.7
96 3.6 4.6 5.6
95 3.5 4.5 5.5
94 3.4 4.4 5.4
93 3.3 4.3 5.3
92 3.2 4.2 5.2
91 3.1 4.1 5.1
90 3.0 4.0 5.0
89 2.9 3.9 4.9
88 2.8 3.8 4.8
87 2.7 3.7 4.7
86 2.6 3.6 4.6
85 2.5 3.5 4.5
84 2.4 3.4 4.4
83 2.3 3.3 4.3
82 2.2 3.2 4.2
81 2.1 3.1 4.1
80 2.0 3.0 4.0
79 1.9 2.9 3.9
78 1.8 2.8 3.8
77 1.7 2.7 3.7
76 1.6 2.6 3.6
75 1.5 2.5 3.5
74 1.4 2.4 3.4
73 1.3 2.3 3.3
72 1.2 2.2 3.2
71 1.1 2.1 3.1
70 1.0 2.0 3.0
Level I Level II Level III
Regular Courses Honors Courses Dual Credit Courses through Northeast Texas Community College
(taken during the school year)