WISCONSIN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP

WISCONSIN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP

po5451.01Adopted February 1, 1991Revised October 23, 2024

5451.01 - WISCONSIN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP/UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN GUARANTEED ADMISSION PROGRAM

It is the responsibility of the School Board of each school district to name the 12th-grade pupil in each high school who has the highest grade point average in all subjects as the recipient of the "Academic Excellence in Higher Education Scholarship" established by the Wisconsin legislature in 1989-91 (39.41)(1m)(a). By February 25th of each school year, the School Board will designate the appropriate number of senior(s) from the high school with the highest grade point average in all subjects as scholars eligible to receive an Academic Excellence Scholarship. Additionally, the student with the highest grade point average must meet all graduation requirements established by the State of Wisconsin and scholarship policies established by the Durand-Arkansaw School District Board of Education.

Selection Procedure

The student and alternates must:

  1. The grade point scale used is outlined in AG 5430.01: Value-Added Points for Advanced Difficulty Course Work. This is the method for determining student rank in class. The grade point is carried to three (3) digits to the right of the decimal.

  2. Final grade calculations are based on the status of the senior class at the end of the seventh semester (first semester of senior year).

  3. Pass/Fail classes are not calculated in student grade point averages.

  4. In order to be eligible for consideration of the Academic Excellence Scholarship, the student must have attended Durand High School as a full-time student both semesters of their junior and senior years.

  5. The Academic Excellence Award is only available to students attending a State post-secondary school. If the declared recipient indicates intentions to attend an out-of-state school, the alternate will be determined the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award.

  6. The Board will be notified of the scholarship recipient by the date deemed appropriate by the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board, the overseer of the "Academic Excellence in Higher Education Scholarship".

  7. be selected based on the Grade Point Average (GPA) on the student’s official transcript as of the last day of the semester which ended just prior to February 25th.

The grade point average (GPA) computation will be in accord with School Board Policy 5430 - Laude System. In selecting the scholarship recipient(s) for the Academic Excellence Scholarship, weighted grades for seven (7) semesters will be used to compute grade point averages.

Students enrolled under full-time public school Open-Enrollment Program who qualify based on the standards identified above are eligible for the Academic Excellence Scholarship in the school they actually attend.

The designation of scholar will be awarded to the qualifying student(s) with the highest grade point average. The scholar's GPA shall be computed to as many places past the decimal point as necessary to determine a distinction between the scholars.

Tie Breaking Method

  1. In the case of a tie, a tie-breaking method must be developed by the local School Board. In the case of a tie, a committee will be assembled to examine the pertinent data and determine the candidate that will be directed to the Board of Education’s attention. This committee shall consist of the:

    1. High School Principal,

    2. High School Counselor, and

    3. District Administrator.

  2. STEP I – In the case of a tie, the first tie-breaker will be the highest composite score of the American College Test (ACT), with the final possible testing date in October due to the report return of six (6) to eight (8) weeks.

  3. STEP II – In the situation that a tie still exists after examination of the highest composite scores of the ACT, the second tie breaker is the highest composite score on the Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT), with the final possible testing date in November due to the report return of six (6) to eight (8) weeks.

  4. STEP III – In the situation that a tie still exists after Steps I and II, the highest GPA in the required classes.

  5. STEP IV – In the situation that a tie still exists after Steps, I, II, and III, the student who has taken the most classes from the value added and laude system courses will be declared the recipient. The student could not have dropped any course their junior or senior year.

  6. STEP V – In the situation that a tie still exists after Steps I, II, III, and IV have been administered, a draw from a new deck of cards will be used to determine the winner. Consecutive draws will be conducted until a winner is declared. The person whose last name is first alphabetically will draw first. The District Administrator will supervise the draw of the cards. Parents/Guardians of the students tied for the "Academic Excellence in Higher Education Scholarship" will be invited to attend the card draw.

Alternate Designation

As per the 2009 Wisconsin Act 306, the Durand-Arkansaw School District is required to designate alternate academic excellence scholars. The following criteria for the designation will be used:

  1. In the event of a tie with the highest grade point average, the application of the tie-breaking procedure indicated above in the "Tie Breaking Method" will be applied to determine the alternate(s).

  2. In situations where there is not a tie for the highest grade point average and the tie-breaking procedure is not used, the Board will designate any remaining seniors with the next highest grade point average (GPA) as alternate scholars. Alternate scholars designated in this manner must not have less than a 3.800 GPA of the equivalent. Alternate scholars will be certified in the order of priority.

Student Requirements

  1. The student is responsible to schedule and take these tests at his/her own expense.

  2. The student is responsible to determine whether or not they are in contention for the scholarship.

The building principal is responsible for communicating these requirements to all students annually via the student handbook or other appropriate means.

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN GUARANTEED ADMISSION PROGRAM:

The Board acknowledges that students may need their computed class rank for reasons related to post-secondary opportunities, including the Academic and Technical Excellence Scholarships, and the University of Wisconsin Guaranteed Admission Program.

For the University of Wisconsin Guaranteed Admission Program, the class rank for students completing 11th grade shall be based on the GPA calculated pursuant to this policy and shall identify students in the top five percent (5%) and the top ten percent (10%) of the class. Once the class rank is established, the District Administrator shall notify each student ranked in the top ten percent (10%) of their ranking in either the top five percent (5%) or ten percent (10%) of the class and shall note the applicable ranking on the student's transcript as of the completion of grade 11.

Revised 12/91
Revised 8/20/97
Revised 5/20/98
Revised 1/14/15
Revised 11/16/16

Revised 12/20/17

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