North Hills Among Growing List of Districts Moving Away from Class Rank

When the North Hills class of 2013 graduated Friday at Martorelli Stadiium,  there was not a single valedictorian. And that's part of a growing trend, in part, because college admissions officials aren't all that interested in class rank anymore.

“Class rank used to be a lot more important than it is now,” Melissa Clinedinst, assistant director of research for the National Association for College Admission Counseling, told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “It doesn't have much meaning, comparing one school to another.”

Colleges these days concentrate on a student's grades in college-prep courses, the strength of their high school curriculum, college-admissions test scores and a student's overall grades.

Intensive competition among students is one thing that pushed North Hills Senior High School to eliminate class rank after the 2009-2010 school year. 

Principal John Kreider told the Trib that some students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses submitted medical waivers to opt out of gym class. Others received waivers to avoid taking music and other courses — all because earning anything less than an “A” in a nonweighted class can lower a teen's GPA.

Yet there is value to being a valedictorian, Michael Reilly, executive director of the Washington-based American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, told the Tribune-Review. “It's a strong indication of an academically talented student,” Reilly said. “I think the honor is losing some of its luster, though."

Sarah Marker, 29, was one of two valedictorians from the class of 2002 at Perry Traditional Academy in Pittsburgh.

“It was something I worked my butt off for,” she told the Trib. “To this day, I have it on my resume. It reflects a behavior that you develop as early as elementary school.”

What do you think? Should class rank be recognized at high school graduation ceremonies? Click on comment below and share your thoughts.

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