A significant change is coming up for high-achieving students at Tualatin High School: beginning with the graduating Class of 2027, more selective standards for naming the valedictorian have been adopted, aiming to reward excellence while upholding academic integrity.  

Under previous – and current – guidelines, the valedictorian title often includes a lengthy list of students. This is because multiple seniors are able to meet requirements of earning an honors cord and the highest cumulative unweighted GPA. 

“I don’t believe it’s fully fair because IB classes are weighted differently than normal classes and are a lot more rigorous and can be used for application outside of class,” said junior Addison Rice. “I think that should be awarded more than maintaining a good grade in a standard level class.” 

Starting in 2027, only one student will be able to earn the title of valedictorian: the student with the highest cumulative weighted GPA. This is calculated using college-level courses that students can take, including International Baccalaureate (IB) and dual credit courses. Furthermore, the student with the second-highest weighted GPA will be granted the title of salutatorian.  

With fewer students meeting the criteria, the change will dramatically reduce the number of valedictorian titles awarded, a decision that reflects the district’s push for greater academic rigor and exclusivity in its top honors. This is going to be a major shift for students and something to take into consideration when they select future courses. Taking more IB and dual credit classes will grant students more chances to increase their weighted GPAs. 

Sophomore Ariana Burgos-Davila is a part of the first graduating class that will be affected. 

“I do think it’s fair because we have been having so many valedictorians, so I guess it makes sense. I just wish it wasn’t just one valedictorian and salutatorian,” Burgos-Davilla said. 

“I think it’s a good thing that they made that decision because it’s too many.”