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High school principal proposes ending valedictorian/salutatorian, dropping weighted grades for future classes
Summary
Jordan High School principal presented a proposal to end naming valedictorian and salutatorian beginning with the class of 2027 and to discontinue weighted grades, replacing them with clearer honor tiers and adjusted grade cutoffs; the board heard the presentation and indicated it will review handbook changes in coming months.
Jordan High School's principal presented a multi-part proposal to the Jordan Public School District board on April 14 recommending the district stop naming a valedictorian and salutatorian and move away from weighted grade-point averages for future graduating classes.
The principal said his concerns include students selecting classes based primarily on perceived GPA advantage rather than educational value, and documented cases in which students experienced severe stress while trying to maintain top-ranked class standing. He noted state rules now require certain external (PSEO) courses to be recorded with weighted credit in some circumstances, creating inconsistencies in how course rigor affects GPA.
Under the principal's proposal the district would: - End the valedictorian/salutatorian distinction starting with the class of 2027 (current 10th graders), so the change takes effect for cohorts who have had limited exposure to the present weighted system; - Remove weighted grades and adopt a flat 4.0 scale districtwide while adjusting grade cutoffs (for example, lowering the A threshold from 93 to 90) so students are not discouraged from taking rigorous in-district classes; and - Replace the traditional commencement speaker model (valedictorian/salutatorian) by opening speaker selection to a broader pool: either a student audition process open to all seniors or a selection from among students who qualify for "highest honors." The principal suggested a small committee would evaluate speaker auditions.
The principal said surveys of neighboring Minnesota districts show many have moved away from naming a single valedictorian and that the practice is increasingly viewed as a tradition rather than a necessary academic designation. He asked the board to consider the change and noted any formal change would be made through the student-handbook revision process.
Board members asked about potential impacts on college admissions and scholarships; the principal and administrators said many colleges already recalculate GPAs on their own scales and that the proposed changes would be made with communication to families and college counselors to avoid disadvantaging students. The proposal received substantial board discussion but no final vote; administration will include the concept in the handbook review process for later board action.
