Removal of class rank debated at HC

Class rank has been a staple in high schools all across the US for decades. Recently, though, class rank has been questioned due to the high stress it puts on students along with other possible unfair advantages. During the SBDM meeting held Nov 2, HC counselor Rachael Howard presented the idea of not using class rank for HC. The presented idea would not be enacted until the class of 2021 arrives.

Class rank is based not only on a students’ grades but also the level of class you take (general, advanced or advanced placement). In order to climb higher in class rank, students can take extra classes online, but that may cost money. This allows an unfair advantage for students that have no income to supplement those funds. Because of this, many question the overall fairness of class rank.

“If you have a student who cannot pay for [summer gym and health], they don’t have that opportunity to qualify for that higher class rank,” Howard said.

There is also a concern with the limiting of elective choices for students. Class rank doesn’t allow students to freely choose their electives, as some students dictate their elective choices based on the weight the class holds.

“Without class rank, students could choose freely what they would want to take,” HC counselor and SBDM member Joshua Edwards said. “So now students can take what they’re interested in.”

However, without this system to guide elective choices, this could allow for more elective competition. Currently, electives are cut off if they cannot reach a 25 person requirement. Without class rank to promote students into advanced and AP electives, some may have a more difficult time meeting this number. This could, however, allow students into electives that suit their interests more appropriately.  Following this proposal, new courses have been talked about, ones without weight, that target individual needs and interests, such as a class focusing on stress relief through yoga. Teachers and counselors are hopeful that it will relieve stress for the students who choose such electives.

“It would allow (students) to concentrate more on learning for the sake of learning,” HC social studies teacher Sarah Behler said,“ instead of trying to get credit to be at the top of their class.”

Furthermore, colleges have stopped looking at class rank as a way to determine the eligibility of applicants. Because of this, many schools have found little to no reason to keep it.

“A lot of schools are going away from that number one to number 501 class ranking,” Howard said, “Almost all the schools in Louisville, for example, have done away with class rank.”

With these examples, many in the HC community support the removal of class rank. Questions, however, such as how valedictorian will be chosen, are still being discussed.