SUMMA CUM LAUDE

HONORS

30

30

GPA

3.75

3.5

Note:  Candidates scoring below these minimum GPA requirements in any one semester will have the next semester to bring their cumulative GPA to above the required standard.

Honors
And
Advanced
Placement

Total of 14 Honors and/or Advanced Placement classes over the four years with at least four of the 14 classes being Advanced Placement.  Only one of the four Advanced Placement Classes can be ½ credit A.P. courses.

13 Honors and/or Advanced Placement classes over the four years with at least three of the 13 classes being Advanced Placement.  Only one of the three Advanced Placement Classes can be ½ credit A.P. courses.

Electives

Summa Cum Laude and Honors students must meet all the regular graduation requirements for a student leaving Notre Dame, and in addition, must take the Honors Focus Research class.  He/she must also earn two full credits from those classes listed below:

Any English electives such as: Debate, Creative Writing, Great Books or Yearbook.
Any Social Studies electives such as: Street Law, Sociology, Psychology, Contemporary Issues
Any Continuing Fine/Performing Arts electives such as: dance, chorus, band, or drama.

Important Notes For both Summa and Honors Students:

-  If a student enrolls in any 1 credit or more AP course beyond the 4 required for Summa and 3 required for Honors, they may use these credits in place of elective credits

-Summa and Honors students should avoid taking Study Halls in the first two years in order to meet the 30 credit requirements.  Some Study Halls may be needed later to wrap around 1 ½ credit Advanced Placement classes.

- Summa and Honors students must accept leadership responsibilities within the school infrastructure (athletics, clubs, class, student body officers).

- Summa and Honors students must contribute services to the community which utilize the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual gifts each student develops while in the program.

- Honors Focus Research is required of all Summa and Honors students.  It will count towards their elective requirement and as one of their honors courses

Foreign Language Notes:
-  Summa Cum Laude and Honors students must complete four years of the same foreign language to fulfill the course requirements for a Summa or Honors diploma. 
-  A student taking a 2nd foreign language may use these credits towards elective requirements.