Lauren Doherty, Editor-in-Chief
@ldohertycourant
In the coming weeks, the New Canaan Patch will publish the names of students on the quarter three honor roll. The list will be organized by grade level, split between those earning honor and high honor status. Last quarter, 1,029 out of 1,338 students were listed, meaning that 77% of the student body was recognized.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines an honor roll as “a roster of names of persons deserving honor, especially a list of students achieving academic distinction.” But, how can academic distinction be awarded to over three-quarters of the school population? At this point, the honor roll borders becoming a participation award, rather than a tool to recognize outstanding students.
To make the honor roll, a student must earn an unweighted 85.00 GPA. To earn high honors, it must be an unweighted 90.00 GPA. An unweighted GPA means that honors and AP courses are not considered in GPA calculation.
Many top students argue that by acknowledging unweighted GPA, the honor roll under-recognizes those with rigorous course loads. But, if the honor roll favored weighted GPA, it would only further strain the relationship many students have with school. Oftentimes, students have an unhealthy habit of focusing solely on taking as many honors or AP classes as they can, rather than pursuing their true interests. Students can easily become wrapped up in the numerical value that “represents” their hard work, rather than the actual learning process or their personal passions.
Not only this, but by setting GPA requirements, the honor roll is creating a mindset that an 85 or a 90 is “good enough.” Students may be motivated to achieve the honor roll distinction, but once it is met there is not an incentive to continue improving. The honor roll acting as an “attitude-booster” or pat on the back for students can only carry them so far.
The honor roll is typically written on a student’s list of accomplishments when they apply to college. Yet, the prestige and legitimacy of the award is questionable when 77% of students can claim the title. Oftentimes, colleges are looking for uniqueness and outstanding achievements, which the honor roll fails to recognize, making it useless in college admissions.
At other Fairfield County schools, such as Wilton High and Darien High, the honor roll is not released to the public. Requirements also widely vary. At Wilton High, students must be enrolled in 6 academic classes, earn a 3.0 GPA, and have no D’s or F’s. At Darien High, there are honor rolls for each subject, such as English, Math, and World Language. NCHS is unique by grading on a 100 point scale rather than letter grades or a 4.0 scale.
At the end of the day, why even have an honor roll? What purpose does it serve and does it truly aid students?
NCHS has implemented guidelines to reduce the stressful environment of school, including not naming a valedictorian or releasing a class rank. It’s time for the honor roll to take its spot in the graveyard next to these systems. The honor roll is, in fact, pointless. It fails to recognize top-students, it makes no impact on college applications, and it doesn’t encourage students to pursue their passions.
The honor roll only turns students into more of a number, strengthening the hold GPA’s can have on their lives. It encourages an environment focused around the grade students receive for a class, rather than the actual effort they may put in. The honor roll has been around for as long as administrators and teachers can remember; it’s an outdated system and it’s time for it to go.
