AR 5126 — AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT
Students AR 5126(a)
AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT
Criteria for the Selection of Valedictorian and Salutatorian
The selection of valedictorian and salutatorian at the high school level will be based on
the following criteria:
1. The valedictorian shall be the graduating high school senior in attendance with the
highest grade point average
2. The salutatorian shall be the graduating high school senior in attendance with the
second highest grade point average
3. Grade point average will be based on a 4.0 scale (A=4 points; B=3 points; C=2
points; D=1 point; F=0 points) for non-weighted courses
4. Weighted credit will be given to students who successfully complete advanced
placement, international baccalaureate diploma program, District designated dual
enrollment courses, and honors courses as designated by the Superintendent or
designee, courses of study (A=5 points; B=4 points; C=3 points; D=1 point; F=0
points)
(cf. 6172.1 - Concurrent Enrollment in College Classes)
5. Each candidate for valedictorian and salutatorian must have completed all the
requirements for the distinguished scholar program at a comprehensive high
school
6. Determination for Valedictorian and Salutatorian are made after the first semester
of the senior year has been completed
7. If a tie exists, the principal may honor more than one valedictorian and/or
salutatorian
Golden State Seal Merit Diploma
The Superintendent or designee shall identify students who qualify for the Golden State
Seal Merit Diploma. In order to qualify, students shall achieve the standards or
achievement levels established by the State Board of Education, to include:
1. Complete all requirements for a high school diploma, and
2. Mastery of the curriculum in at least six subject areas, as follows:
AR 5126(b)
AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT
A. English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) – students must have earned one of
any of the following:
a. A grade of B+ or above (or numerical equivalent) in a single course
(each semester) completed in grade nine or ten or eleven
b. An achievement level of “Standard Met” or above for the high school
Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment
B. Mathematics – students must have earned one of any of the following:
a. A grade of B+ or above (or numeric equivalent) in a single course
(each semester) completed in grade nine or ten or eleven
b. An achievement level of “Standard Met” or above for the high school
Smarter Balanced Summative Assessment
C. Science – students must have earned one of any of the following:
a. A grade of B+ or above (or numeric equivalent) in a single course
(each semester) completed in grade nine or ten or eleven
b. An achievement level of “Standard Met” or above for the high school
California science test taken in grade 11 or 12
D. U.S. History – students must have earned one of any of the following:
a. A grade of B or above (or numerical equivalent) upon completion of
the required U.S. history course (each semester)
b. A qualifying score that demonstrates mastery of the subject as
determined by the LEA, for an examination produced by a private
provider or the LEA
E. Two Additional Subject Areas – students may choose from any of the
following:
a. Any additional qualifying grade or score listed above, earned for the
subject of ELA, mathematics, science, or U.S. history not already
used to meet eligibility
b. A grade of B or above (or numerical equivalent) upon the completion of
high school courses in other subjects
c. A qualifying score that demonstrates mastery of other subjects, as
determined by the LEA for an examination produced by a private
provider or the LEA
AR 5126(c)
AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT
Distinguished Scholar Program
The Distinguished Scholar Program is offered by the Chino Valley Unified School District
to increase academic motivation, broaden university admission options, provided access
to competitive majors, prepare for college admission exams, and develop strong academic
skills in university prep students. Counselors will identify seniors who may qualify as a
distinguished scholar by reviewing student transcripts.
To qualify as a distinguished scholar a student must:
1. Complete all prescribed courses in grades 9-12 to meet the UC/CSU a-g
requirements;
2. Receive a minimum of a 3.9 weighted GPA in all courses, grades 9-12;
3. Receive a grade of C or higher in all courses, grades 9-12;
4. Demonstrate evidence of school and/or community service, and
5. Complete 28 semesters of coursework in the prescribed course of study.
State Seal of Biliteracy
To be eligible to receive the State Seal of Biliteracy upon graduation, a student shall
demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English and at least one other language, which
may include American Sign Language, by meeting all of the following state-established
criteria: (Education Code 51461)
1. Completion of all English language arts requirements for graduation with an overall
grade point average of at least 2.0 in those classes
2. Passage of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress for
English language arts or any successor test administered in grade 11 at or above
the “Standard Met” achievement level
3. Proficiency in one or more languages other than English, demonstrated through
one of the following methods:
A. Passage of a world language advanced placement (ap) exam with a score
of 3 or higher or an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam with a score of 4
or higher
AR 5126(d)
AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT
B. Successful completion of a four-year high school course of study in a world
language, attaining an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 in that
course of study, and oral proficiency in the language comparable to that
required on an AP or IB exam
C. If no AP exam or off-the-shelf language test exists, passage of a District
language exam that can be certified to meet the rigor of a four-year high
school course of study in a given language and, at a minimum, assesses
speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English at the
proficient level or higher
D. If a language is not characterized by listening, speaking, or reading, or for
which there is no written system, passage of an assessment on the
modalities that characterize communication in that language at the
proficient level or higher
E. Passage of the SAT II world language exam with a score of 600 or higher
(cf. 6142.2 - World/Foreign Language Instruction)
To be eligible to receive the State Seal of Biliteracy, a student whose primary language
is other than English shall also attain the level which demonstrates English language
proficiency on the state’s English language proficiency assessment for California.
(Education Code 51461)
(cf. 6174 - Education for English Learners)
Prescribed Course of Study
English 4 Years English 9 H
English 10 H
English 11 AP
English 12 AP
Advanced Math 4 Years Geometry Algebra 2 H Integrated II H Integrated III H
Financial Literacy
Mathematical Reasoning with Connections (MRWC)
Trig/Pre-Calculus H
Statistics AP
Calculus AB CP
Calculus AB AP
Calculus BC AP
AR 5126(e)
AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT
Social Sciences 3 ½ Years World History H or AP
US History AP
US Government AP
European History AP
Economics H or AP
Human Geography AP
Science 3 Years Biology H or AP
Biology and The Living Earth H
Chemistry H or AP
Chemistry in The Earth System H
Physics H or AP
Physics in The Universe H
Human Anatomy and Physiology H
Environmental Science AP
World Language Three Years of the same Language approved by
UC/CSU
Note: GPA calculations are based upon the first seven (7) semesters from high school.
Graduate with Honors
To qualify as a graduate with honors, a student must:
1. Complete all prescribed courses in grades 9-12 to meet the CVUSD graduation
requirements and the UC/CSU a-g requirements;
2. Receive a minimum of a 3.75 weighted GPA in all courses, grades 9-12;
3. Receive a grade of C or higher in all courses, grades 9-12 and;
4. Completed 28 semesters of coursework in the prescribed course of study.
Furthermore, it is recommended that the student demonstrates evidence of school
and/or community service.
AR 5126(f)
AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT
Prescribed course of study for graduate with honors:
English 4 Years English 9 CP or English 9 H
English 10 CP or English 10 H
English 11 CP or English 11 AP
Expository Reading and Writing course (ERWC),
English 12 CP or English 12 AP
Math 4 Years Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2 or Algebra 2 H
Integrated I or Integrated I H
Integrated II or Integrated II H
Integrated III or Integrated III H
Financial Literacy
MRWC
Probability and Statistics
Trig/Pre-Calculus or Trig/Pre-Calculus H
Calculus AP CP
Calculus AB AP
Calculus BC AP
Statistics AP
Social Sciences 3 Years World History or World History H
US History or US History AP
US Government or US Government AP
Econ, Econ H or Econ AP
European History AP
Human Geography AP
Science 3 Years Biology H or Biology AP
Biology and The Living Earth, or
Biology and The Living Earth H
Chemistry, Chemistry H or Chemistry AP
Chemistry in The Earth System and
Chemistry in The Earth System H
Physics, Physics H, or Physics AP
Physics in The Universe and
Physics in The Universe H
Environmental Science AP
Human Anatomy and Physiology H
Environmental Science AP
AR 5126(g)
AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT
World Language Three Years of the same Language approved by
UC/CSU
Note: GPA calculations are based upon the first seven (7) semesters from high school.
At the discretion of the Superintendent or designee, honors distinction shall be granted to
students who transfer in from a school outside the District if they have successfully
completed coursework that is similar to, but does not match, the prescribed course of
study.
Scholarship Fund
The District's scholarship fund shall be administered by a committee composed of board
members, the Superintendent and other community, faculty, administrative and/or
student representatives determined by the Board. (Education Code 35310)
Members of this committee shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve one- year
terms.
The Superintendent shall serve as chairperson of the committee and chief executive
officer of the fund. (Education Code 35311)
The committee shall meet at least once each fiscal year and at other such times as it
may be called into session by the Superintendent. (Education Code 35312)
Scholarship funds shall be deposited, administered, and audited in accordance with
Education Code 35314 and 35318.
The committee may accept gifts, donations and bequests made for the purposes of the
fund. The committee also may prescribe conditions or restrictions on these gifts and
bequests. The committee shall review any conditions imposed by the donor and make a
recommendation to the Board as to the compatibility of such conditions with the intent
and purpose of the fund. The Board may prohibit the committee from accepting any
donation under conditions it finds incompatible with the fund's intent and purpose.
(Education Code 35313)
(cf. 1260 - Educational Foundation)
(cf. 3290 - Gifts, Grants and Bequests)
The Superintendent or designee shall establish procedures governing applications for
scholarship awards from the fund. Eligibility for a scholarship award shall be determined
based on objective criteria and without discrimination.
AR 5126(g)
AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENT
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
The Superintendent or designee shall make at least annual reports to the Board regarding
the status and activity of the fund. (Education Code 35319)
Chino Valley Unified School District
Regulation approved: June 5, 2003
Revised: March 5, 2009
Revised: June 18, 2009
Revised: June 17, 2010
Revised: December 13, 2012
Revised: August 16, 2018
Revised: April 15, 2021
Revised: February 20, 2025