Visit Us on Social Media!
Students have an opportunity to earn special recognition through coursework, assessments, and grade point averages. These designations are recognized on their diplomas or in diploma programs at graduation. Students should consider if they want these designations; and pursue the needed coursework, grade point average, and assessments for the recognition. These designations can also be added to college applications and resumes. The School Counselor or Career Specialist at your school can help you with more information on these programs.
Specific recognition based on grade point averages are:
Cum Laude 3.2000 – 3.7999
Magna Cum Laude 3.8000 – 4.1999
Summa Cum Laude 4.2000+
These are weighted grade point averages based on semester grades.
There are also three diploma designation options:
In addition to the requirements of section (s.) 1003.4282, Florida Statutes (F.S.), a student must satisfy the following requirements (per. s. 1003.4285, F.S.):
• Earn 1 credit in Algebra 2 or an equally rigorous course
• Pass the Geometry EOC
• Earn 1 credit in Statistics or an equally rigorous mathematics course
• Pass the Biology 1 EOC*
• Earn 1 credit in Chemistry or Physics
• Earn 1 credit in a course equally rigorous to Chemistry or Physics
• Pass the U.S. History EOC*
• Earn 2 credits in the same World Language
• Earn at least 1 credit in an AP, IB, AICE or a dual enrollment course
*A student is exempt from the Biology 1 or U.S. History EOC assessment if the student is enrolled in an AP, IB or AICE Biology 1 or U.S. History course; takes the respective AP, IB or AICE assessment; and earns the minimum score to earn college credit.
The Florida Seal of Biliteracy Program is established to recognize a high school graduate who has attained a high level of competency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more foreign languages in addition to English by the award of a silver or gold seal on a standard high school diploma.
Florida Seal of Biliteracy Brochure
Visit webpage for more information
Pursuant to Section 1003.4321, Florida Statutes, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the Florida Seal of Fine Arts shall be awarded to a high school student who has earned a standard high school diploma; successfully completed at least three year-long courses in dance, music, theatre, or the visual arts with a grade of “A” or higher in each course or earned three sequential course credits in such courses with a grade of “A” or higher in each course; and meets a minimum of two of the following requirements:
1. Successfully completes a fine arts International Baccalaureate, Advanced International Certificate of Education, Advanced Placement, dual enrollment or honors course in the subjects listed in the paragraph above with a grade of “B” or higher.
2. Participates in a district or statewide organization’s juried event as a selected student participant for 2 or more years.
3. Records at least 25 volunteer hours of arts-related community service in his or her community and presents a comprehensive presentation on his or her experiences.
4. Meets the requirements of a portfolio-based program identifying the student as an exemplary practitioner of the fine arts.
5. Receives district, state or national recognition for the creation and submission of an original work of art. The term “work of art” means a musical or theatrical composition, visual artwork, or choreographed routine or performance.
For more information on how to apply click here.
Meet standard high school diploma requirements
• Attain one or more industry certifications from the list established (per s. 1003.492, F.S.)
Membership Requirement in Graduation Class for Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Membership in a graduation class will be determined by the selection of a diploma option and progress toward the diploma option. To be considered for valedictorian or salutatorian:
A standard diploma student (18- or 24- Credit Diploma Options) must meet the minimum full-time enrollment in a Florida approved educational institution to meet enrollment criteria for their school (6 courses/3 credits earned) in the same Pasco County high school, pursuing the same graduation plan diploma (IB, AICE, Standard) during each of the last four semesters prior to graduation*
*7 courses/3.5 credits are required each semester at WKTHS and KRAI to be considered full-time. 8 courses/4 credits are required each semester at AAI. Full-time dual enrollment students meet the full-time enrollment criteria.
and
24-Credit Diploma Option students must have been a member of the graduating class in the same school for each of the four semesters prior to graduation,
or
18-Credit Diploma Option students must have been a member of the graduating class in the same school for each of the four semesters prior to graduation, have been working from an acceleration plan and be on track for graduation.
More information can be found in the Student Progression Plan.
The valedictorian will be the student who meets the membership requirements as identified above and has the highest weighted local class rank grade point average (GPA) as determined after the completion of the 7th semester freeze.
Full-time Dual Enrollment students and students on school approved Acceleration Plans will be eligible for this recognition if they are included in the class rank and meet the membership requirements.
In calculating the valedictorian for the graduating class, the student with the highest weighted GPA after seven semesters will be the valedictorian. In the event that a 3-Year graduation plan student has the same or higher weighted GPA as the 4- Year graduation plan student, the student(s) will be classified as co-valedictorian(s).
The salutatorian will be the student who meets the membership requirements as identified above and has the second highest weighted local class rank grade point average (GPA) as determined after the completion of the 7th semester freeze.
Full-time Dual Enrollment students and students on school-approved Acceleration Plans will be eligible for this recognition if they are included in the class rank and meet the membership requirements.
In calculating the salutatorian for the graduating class, the second highest weighted GPA after 7 semesters will be the salutatorian. In the event that a 3-Year graduation plan student has the same or higher weighted GPA as the 4-Year graduation plan student, the students will be classified as co-salutatorians.
*If a student who is receiving the recognition of Valedictorian or Salutatorian is the sole earner of this recognition and is not on track to graduate by the deadline date the school set to inform students and parents or guardians of students who will not graduate, the recognition will be moved to the next student with the next highest weighted GPA based on the 7th semester freeze.
In the event of tied ranks for valedictorian and/or salutatorian, the principal shall award co- valedictorian and/or co- salutatorian positions.
The International Baccalaureate and Cambridge AICE programs will designate their own valedictorian and salutatorian based on the Class Rank GPA, of its members whose membership in the IB and AICE program meet the criteria outlined in section V-D(6)(a) Membership Requirement.
The Class Rank calculation for the IB and AICE program will be a district-wide class rank based on the total senior graduating class for the school district of Pasco County using the ranking criteria in section V- B (1).