The purpose of the District's class rank policy is to promote rigorous academic standards and prepare students for college, career, and life in a globally competitive economy. Class rank is used to determine District honors and awards and is submitted to colleges.
The District applies the same class rank calculation method and rules for local graduation honors to all students in a graduating class, regardless of the year a student first earned high school credit.
Questions? Please reach out to Mr. Hernandez, Registrar for Graduation Services & Academic Records, by phone at (512) 414‑2514 or by email at adrian.hernandez@austinisd.org.
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Class rank is based on weighted GPAs earned in courses that satisfy a student’s graduation plan in these categories:
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Languages Other Than English (LOTE)
Rules
- Only the highest grades in each category are used if more courses are completed than required.
- Class rank is updated at the end of each semester and represents a snapshot in time.
- Austin ISD begins calculating rank in the spring of 10th grade.
- Current semester grades are not used in rank calculations.
A comparative rank compares a student’s Rank GPA numerically to other students in the same grade level and school. Comparative class ranks are issued in the following circumstances:
- When a student transfers to a District high school from outside the District or from another District high school, their rank will be an interim ranking until the next rank is set.
- When a potential three-year graduate is reclassified to grade 12, their rank will be an interim ranking until the next rank is set.
The valedictorian and salutatorian are the students with the highest and second-highest class ranking, determined according to this policy, who have:
- Completed the Foundation High School Program with the distinguished level of achievement;
- Met all course requirements or demonstrated subject mastery (course proficiency) through state-approved placement examinations; and
- Been continuously enrolled in and attending classes at the same District high school for two regular school years immediately preceding graduation.
Co-Honors
- In case of a tie for valedictorian, the students who tie shall be recognized as co-valedictorians, and the position of salutatorian shall remain vacant.
- In case of a tie for salutatorian, the students who tie shall be recognized as co-salutatorians.
Austin ISD calculates GPAs using multiple types, all based on a weighted 4.0 scale. Honors-level courses earn additional grade point weight.
Cumulative GPA (Weighted 4.0 Scale)
- Includes all high school courses taken for high school credit.
- Honors courses receive extra weight.
- Reported on the student’s official transcript and report card.
- Labeled as Weighted GPA in Naviance.
Unweighted GPA (4.0 Scale)
- Includes all high school courses taken for high school credit.
- Honors courses do not receive extra weight.
- Not reported on transcripts or report cards.
- Labeled as Cumulative GPA in Naviance.
Rank GPA (Weighted 4.0 Scale)
- Includes only high school courses in the four core subject areas and foreign language that meet graduation requirements.
- Honors courses receive extra weight.
- Used to calculate class rank and Top 10%.
- Reported on the student’s report card.
- Not reported in Naviance.