LAUDE SYSTEM

LAUDE SYSTEM

po5430 Adopted May 7, 2014Revised October 23, 2024

5430 - LAUDE SYSTEM

Durand - Arkansaw High School Laude 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 2016.

Award Levels

There are three (3) levels of awards:

  1. Summa Cum Laude (with highest distinction)(purple cord)

  2. Magna Cum Laude (with great distinction)(silver cord)

  3. Cum Laude (with distinction)(white cord)

Minimum GPA

To be considered for a Laude award, a student must have a cumulative GPA after seven (7) semesters of 3.0 or higher.

Laude Score

A student’s Laude Score will be determined by multiplying:

  1. The student’s cumulative GPA after seven (7) semesters by;

  2. The number of "value added" semester courses completed in the first seven (7) semesters of high school with a grade of "C" or higher. (Must earn a "C" or higher in both semesters of year-long courses).

Score Breaks

There will be no rounding of Laude Scores

  1. 56+ for Summa Cum Laude

  2. 49-55.999 for Magna Cum Laude

  3. 24-39.999 for Cum Laude

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.

Examples

Minimum combinations for Cum Laude recognition:

  1. 3.0 GPA and eight (8) semesters of advanced coursework

  2. 3.5 GPA and seven (7) semesters of advanced coursework

  3. 4.0 GPA and six (6) semesters of advanced coursework

Minimum combinations for Magna Cum Laude:

  1. 3.0 GPA and fourteen (14) semesters of advanced coursework

  2. 3.5 GPA and twelve (12) semesters of advanced coursework

  3. 4.0 GPA and ten (10) semesters of advanced coursework

Minimum combinations for Summa Cum Laude:

  1. 3.0 GPA and nineteen (19) semesters of advanced coursework

  2. 3.5 GPA and sixteen (16) semesters of advanced coursework

  3. 4.0 GPA and fourteen (14) semesters of advanced coursework

Sample

GPA = 3.685

  1. Courses: AP Psychology (2), Trigonometry (2), Pre-Calculus (2), Accounting (2), AP Language (2), Chemistry (2), AP Literature (1) = thirteen (13) semesters

  2. Calculation: 3.685 x 13 = 47.905, earns Magna Cum Laude

© Durand-Arkansaw School District 2014