Schools
Upper St. Clair Among Growing List of Districts Without Class Rank
Upper St. Clair High School was one of the first districts in a growing trend to eliminate class rank.
“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 Upper St. Clair High School to eliminate class rank years ago.
"We felt it was hurting our students," said Dr. Michael Ghilani, principal of Upper St. Clair High School.
Ghilani recalled a student who was refused a scholarship due to her class rank at Upper St. Clair High School, yet she had a GPA that would have put her toward the top of her class in other less competitive districts.
"(Class rank) was detrimental for scholarships," Ghilani said. "We didn't see many pros for students (to keep class rank.)"
Unlike some other districts that have eliminated class rank, Upper St. Clair still recognizes its valedictorians at graduation. There are normally 12-18 students honored for getting straight As who have a "strong" schedule of honors, AP and/or IB courses.
Ghilani said he remembered one student who had all As, but didn't take as many advanced courses, and it put her 35th in class rank.
Do you think it was a good idea to get rid of class rank? Share in the comments below.
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