Hingham High School
does not rank students nor does it provide colleges or universities with
class rank information. Designations of class valedictorian and
salutatorian will be awarded to the two seniors with the highest grade
point averages. Students who are not enrolled at HHS for the final
four consecutive semesters of high school (all of junior and senior
years) will not be considered for these designations. Class
valedictorian and salutatorian will be selected after the seniors' final
grades have been established. Hingham's system of calculating
grade point averages (GPA) is derived from the guidelines of the
National Association of Secondary School Principals. A student's
GPA is cumulative, and it is computed at the end of the fifth, sixth,
seventh and eighth semesters. The GPA is based upon the weighted
averages of all leveled courses in the five major academic areas
(English, history, math, science and foreign language) completed while
in attendance at HHS as well as all Advanced Placement courses.
Students transferring into HHS will be given the options of including
grades earned at the previous high school(s) in the calculation of the
student's GPA.
Hingham High School
eliminated class rank beginning with the 2004-05 school year. This
came after
much
research, discussion, and reflection, by the School Counseling Department
at Hingham High School. The department
made several
recommendations to the high school principal regarding class rank and
related policies. On behalf of the School Counseling Department, the
Director of School Counseling compiled this report based on information gathered from parents, students,
and professional educators including high school counselors, department
directors, administrators, and college and university admissions
representatives. In order for parents, students, school committee
members, staff, and administration to fully understand the scope of
class rank, the results of this report are presented in a question-and-answer format.
High School
Counseling Department
