How is valedictorian determined?

Hey guys, I've always been curious about how schools determine the valedictorian. Is it just based on GPA, or do other factors come into play?

Each high school may have its own method for determining the valedictorian, but there are some common practices. Usually, the valedictorian is the student with the highest cumulative GPA at the end of their senior year. GPAs are typically determined using a weighted or unweighted scale, and some schools might also incorporate other factors.

Weighted GPAs usually take into account the difficulty of the courses taken, giving more weight to advanced or honors courses. For example, an 'A' in an AP course might be worth 5.0 points, while an 'A' in a regular course would be worth 4.0 points. Unweighted GPAs do not consider the difficulty of the courses and assign the same value to all 'A's, regardless of the course level.

In addition to GPA, some schools might also consider factors such as class rank, extracurricular involvement, or community service. It is not uncommon for schools to have certain requirements or qualifications that the valedictorian must meet, such as being involved in school activities or taking a specific number of advanced courses.

To find out the specific criteria for determining the valedictorian at your school, it's best to consult with a guidance counselor or an administrator who can provide you with more accurate information on your school's policies.