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Graduate of Distinction

Graduate of Distinction collage

Each year, the Graduate of Distinction program recognizes student accomplishments in five categories: academic achievement, attendance, citizenship, community service, and participation in extracurricular activities.  Graduating seniors are required to earn a point in each of the five categories. Those meeting the criteria will be recognized at a special program in the spring and receive the Graduate of Distinction Medal to be worn at graduation. 

If you have questions about the Graduate of Distinction Program, please reach out to your School Counselor or contact Dr. Dee Jordan, Coordinator for Advanced Learning, or Leigh Gunter, Advanced Learning Specialist & District Lead Counselor, at 434-799-6400 ext. 223. 


The first step in becoming a Graduate of Distinction is timely submission of the application, which is due on December 19, 2025 by 11:59pm.  The link to the application is listed below and the information must be submitted by the graduating senior. 

Young woman wearing medal and lady hugging

Graduate of Distinction: 5 Pillars of Success

Pillar One: Academic Achievement -  Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher by the end of 1st Semester.

Pillar Two: Attendance - Students must maintain an attendance rate of 94% or higher during their senior year. Missing 5 days or less for the school year (August 6, 2025 - March 6, 2026)

Pillar Three: Citizenship - Students must be in good standing and discipline record should be absent of out-of-school and in-school suspensions (August 6, 2025 - March 6, 2026, if a student commits a level 3, level 4, or level 5 offense after March 6, 2026, the student will not be eligible for the Graduate of Distinction recognition).

Pillar Four: Community Service - Students must participate in 40 hours of service learning projects by serving as a volunteer supporting the community at large (June 7, 2025 - January 10, 2026).

Pillar Five: Extracurricular Activities - Students must support the school's education mission by participating in and providing leadership to extracurricular activities.