In order to provide maximum opportunity for secondary students to be successful, the NLUMSD is offering graduating seniors multiple ways to receive commendations.
Distinguished Scholars
The Distinguished Scholar Program has two major objectives: first, to encourage students to pursue an academically rigorous program through four years of high school, and second, to recognize students who successfully complete the program. Distinguished Scholars will be acknowledged and presented a medallion to be worn at graduation. The Distinguished Scholar designation is based on the seventh semester transcript. The honor is granted to seniors who complete ten or more honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses and earn no more than four semester grades of C in those courses. A semester grade of D or F in any honors or AP course disqualifies the student from this designation regardless of the number of those courses taken. If students complete more than ten honors and AP courses during their four years of high school, the top graded classes will be counted toward the required number for this designation. A minimum of three honors and/or AP courses must be taken EACH semester during 12th grade even though grades are based on the seventh semester transcript. Recipients receive a certificate and diploma seal.
Highest Honors
Graduating seniors who earn a total weighted GPA of 4.0 GPA or higher at the end of the seventh semester will be acknowledged and presented with a gold medal, gold tassel, and seal on their diploma.
High Honors
Graduating seniors who earn a total weighted GPA of 3.75 to 3.99 or higher at the end of the seventh semester will be acknowledged and presented with a silver medal, gold tassel, and seal on their diploma.
Principal's Honor Roll
Graduating seniors who earn a total weighted GPA of 3.5 to 3.74 at the end of the seventh semester will be acknowledged and presented with a bronze medal, gold tassel and seal on their diploma.
Honors Roll
Graduating seniors who earn a total weighted GPA of 3.0 to 3.49 at the end of the seventh semester will be acknowledged and presented with a pin, gold tassel and seal on their diploma.
Golden State Seal
To be eligible, a graduating seniors must meet 6 of the following criteria:
Earn a B+ or above in a single ELA course; Earn a B+ or above in a single Math course; earn "Standards Met" on the high school SBAC in ELA or Math; earn a B+ or above in a single Science or course; earn a B or above in U.S. History; a grade of B or above in another high school subject area; any additional qualifying grade in the area of ELA, Math, Science or US History. (See the CA Dept. of Ed. for details.) Recipients earn a Diploma seal.
Pathways/Academies
Graduating seniors who successfully complete the requirements of a Pathway or Academy will be acknowledged by their pathway coordinators.
CA Scholarship Federation Sealbearer
Graduating seniors who are CSF members with four semesters of membership beginning with their first semester in 10th grade and including one semester earned in 12th grade, will be acknowledged. Recipients receive a certificate and based on the number of semesters, may earn a gold cord, gold sash, patch and/or diploma seal.
Valedictorian and Salutatorian
Graduating seniors for Valedictorian and Salutatorian must be candidates for Distinguished Scholar. These honors are determined by calculating the weighted total GPA from all academic and non-academic classes. The student with the highest GPA at the end of the seventh semester will be the Valedictorian and the student with the second highest GPA will be the Salutatorian. In the case of ties, all students will receive the designation earned. Recipients earn a LMHS Medal, Gold Tassel and Diploma Seal.
Seal of Biliteracy
For Students Whose Primary Language is English
Each of these three academic requirements shall be fulfilled.
1. Students must have completed all English-language arts (ELA) requirements for graduation with an overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or above in those classes.
2. Students must have passed the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) in ELA (administered in grade eleven), at or above the “standard met” achievement level.
3. Students must demonstrate proficiency in one or more languages other than English through one of the following methods: a) Pass a foreign language Advanced Placement (AP) exam, with a score of three or higher. b) Successfully complete a four-year high school course of study in a foreign language and attain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above in that course of study, and demonstrate oral proficiency in the language comparable to that required to pass an AP. c) Pass the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) II foreign language exam with a score of 600 or higher.
For Students Whose Primary Language is not English
If the primary language of a pupil is other than English, the student shall also meet the following academic requirements:
1. Attain the level demonstrating English language proficiency on the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).
2. Meet the academic requirements 1, 2, and 3 as state above in Section I.
Recipients earn a medal and diploma seal.
A-G
Awarded to those seniors who have met the UC and CSU requirements of courses for admission immediately following high school. A grade of C or better is required for ea course to meet any subject requirement. Recipients earn a Red/Blue/Purple Cord.
Scholar Athlete
Awarded to those seniors who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 every semester of high school as well as participated in athletics every semester of high school. Recipients earn a blue/white cord.
Matador Volunteer Program
Awarded to those seniors who have served as volunteers in school or community for a minimum of 150 service hours while at LMHS. Recipients earn a white sash.