Laude Honor System
The purpose of the Laude System is to recognize students for the rigor of their academic program as well as their success in that program.
This award system will be initiated with the Class of 2026.
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SPHS Laude Criteria
Courses earning laude credits are identified by high school administration and staff. A review process is in place for course additions or eliminations. Courses earning laude credit are those that are most rigorous, have potential to earn college credit, or are a capstone for a career pathway. Students transferring into SPHS will earn laude points for passing Advanced Placement (AP) or other college level courses in a prior high school.
Laude courses are identified in the SPHS Course Handbook and will earn one SPHS laude credit per trimester of successful completion.
Award Levels
There are three levels of awards:
Cum Laude (with honor/distinction)- 30 - 49.99
Magna Cum Laude (with great honor/distinction)- 50 - 69.99
Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor/distinction)- 70 or more
There may be some students who will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis, such as students who study abroad or who graduate early.
Minimum GPA
To be considered for a Laude award, a student must have a cumulative GPA after the second trimester senior year of 3.30 or higher. This is approximately the top 25% of a class.
Laude Score
A student’s Laude score will be determined by multiplying:
The student’s cumulative GPA after eleven trimesters
The number of designated laude trimester credits earned through the completion of twelve trimesters.
Laude Score
A student’s Laude score will be determined by multiplying:
The student’s cumulative GPA after eleven trimesters
The number of designated laude trimester credits earned through the completion of twelve trimesters.
Sample Calculation
GPA = 3.685
Laude Courses: AP Psychology (2), AP Precalculus (2), AP US History (2), AP Calculus (2), AP Lit (2), Spanish 4 (2), College Writing (1), 10 Trimesters Music (1), Biotechnology (1), Health Occupations (1) = 16 Laude points
Calculation: 3.685 (GPA) x 16 (Laude credits) = 58.96 laude points which earns a designation of Magna Cum Laude
Laude Course Review Process
A committee, appointed by the principal, composed of at least one administrator and one student service staff member will do a yearly review of courses included in the laude system. Their duties will include course additions and eliminations. This committee will also approve laude points for transfer courses and other situations.
Laude Award Process
A committee, appointed by the principal, composed of at least one administrator and one student service staff member will determine the students qualifying for each level at the end of the senior year. Their duties will also include determining case-by-case situations, such as early graduates. The principal retains final decision making authority.
SPHS Laude Courses (points)
SPHS Laude Courses (points)
Art
AP 2-D Art and Design (2)
AP 3-D Art and Design (2)
Advanced Course 2x (1)
Business
Computer Apps 2 (1)
Complete Career Pathway (2 or more courses) (1)
Computer Science
AP Computer Science Principles (2)
AP Computer Science A (2)
AP Cybersecurity (2)
Early College Credit
Courses taken at other institutions (e.g., UW-Madison) will be
awarded Laude status if they are college credit bearing
courses (course numbers begin with 100 or higher).
English
AP Literature & Composition (2)
AP Language & Composition (2)
College Writing (1)
Strategic Reading (1)
Advanced Creative Writing (1)
Family & Consumer Sciences
Health Occupations (1)
Medical Terminology (1)
Math
AP PreCalculus (2)
AP Calculus AB (2)
AP Calculus BC (1)
AP Statistics (2)
Discrete Math (1)
Statistics (1)
Music
Participation in Choir/Band for at least 10 trimesters/
membership in top ensembles (1)
Science
AP Biology (2)
AP Chemistry (2)
AP Physics (2)
AP Environmental Science (2)
Genetics (1)
Intro to Organic Chemistry (1)
Intro to Stem Cell Manufacturing (1)
Social Studies
AP US History (2)
AP World History: Modern (2)
AP Psychology (2)
AP US Government & Politics (2)
Start College Now
Courses taken at a Wisconsin Technical College System School
through the Start College Now Program will be awarded Laude status
if they are college-transfer courses (course numbers begin with 20).
Tech Ed/ Agriculture
Biotechnology (1)
Complete Career Pathway (2 or more courses) (1)
World Language
French 4 (2)
Spanish 4 (2)
Spanish 5 (2)
2 years in two different languages (1)
Youth Apprenticeship
All Youth Apprenticeships (up to 1 total point per trimester)
Online AP Courses, Study Abroad, Work Experience, Co-op, Other Programs
-Individual situations such as those listed will be considered on an individual basis based on rigor.
-Requests for Laude Credit must be made by March 1st.
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