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Latin Honors

In 2018 the Riverside Unified School District Board of Education adopted a Latin Honors system to recognize student academic accomplishments to replace the Valedictorian/Salutatorian system. In addition, class rank would no longer be calculated or reported. Grade Point Average (GPA) would continue to be calculated and listed on report cards and transcripts. This shift began with the Class of 2022.

Latin Honors System Advantages:

  • Will recognize academic accomplishments of significantly more students.
  • Encourages students to take a broad range of enrichment courses like Visual and Performing Arts.
  • Colleges and universities support this tradition used by many school districts.
  • Improves student well-being and reduces anxiety by allowing student to strive for the best they can do without competing against classmates.

Distinction Categories:

  • Summa Cum Laude (With the Highest Praise)The top recognition awarded. 3.90+ unweighted GPA on a 4.00 scale.
  • Magna Cum Laude (With Great Praise) The second highest recognition awarded. 3.70-3.89 unweighted GPA on a 4.00 scale.
  • Cum Laude (With Praise) The third highest recognition awarded. 3.50 - 3.69 unweighted GPA on a 4.00 scale.

Additionally, students who challenge themselves with a more rigorous course of study will receive additional distinction within the Latin Honors system. Honors courses will receive 0.5 points each semester. Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Dual Enrollment courses will receive 1.0 point per semester. Points will be totaled at the end of the student's first semester of their senior year.

  • 16+ points will receive Highest Honors
  • 11-15.5 points will receive High Honors
  • 6-10.5 рoints will receive Honors
  • 0.5-5.5 рoints will receive

Distinction Examples: Student A has a 3.60 GPA and 11 points- Student will graduate Cum Laude with High Honors Student B has a 3.90 GPA and 4 points- Student will graduate Summa Cum Laude with Distinction Student C has a 3.80 GPA and 0 points- Student will graduate Magna Cum Laude.