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Graduation

SCVS Graduation Information

Graduation Checklist

Graduation Ceremony

Date, Time & Location: To Be Determined

Additional ceremony information will be shared with graduates and families as details are finalized.

Honor Graduate Designations

In accordance with the SCPS Student Progression Plan (page 13), Seminole County Public Schools follows specific criteria when determining class rank, academic honors, and awards.

Important Information for Home Education, Private School, and Charter School Students

Students who enroll in SCVS during their senior year should carefully review the eligibility requirements below for class rank, honors, and awards.

High School Class Rank, Honors, and Awards

To ensure consistency across SCPS schools, the following criteria are used when determining class rank and recognitions such as Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Top 10, and other academic honors:

  1. GPA Calculation: For graduating seniors, grade point averages used to determine class rank, honors, and awards are calculated at the completion of the seventh semester of high school enrollment. Any class rank calculated before this time is unofficial and subject to change.

  2. SCPS Enrollment Requirement: Students must earn at least 14 credits while enrolled in an SCPS district-operated high school before the completion of their seventh semester to be eligible for class rank, honors, and awards. Credits earned while enrolled in charter or non-public schools do not count toward this requirement.

  3. Graduation Cohort: Students are eligible for class rank, honors, and awards only if they graduate with their assigned cohort. A graduation cohort consists of students who enter ninth grade at the same time and are scheduled to graduate four years later.

  4. Grade Flagging: Grade flagging applies only to high school credit courses. After the seventh semester, the school principal may remove elective courses with the lowest grades from a student's GPA calculation when the student has met state and district graduation requirements. The course and grade will remain on the student's high school transcript. Grade flagging is generally used to assist students who may be at risk of not meeting the required 2.0 cumulative GPA for graduation. Grade flagging may not occur before the end of the seventh semester or before class rank, honors, and awards have been determined.

SCVS Graduation Honors Distinctions

SCVS recognizes graduates who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.

Cum Laude | 3.80–3.99 GPA
Awarded to students who have demonstrated consistent academic excellence and a strong commitment to their studies.

Magna Cum Laude | 4.00–4.19 GPA
Awarded to students who have achieved superior academic performance and demonstrated a high level of scholarly commitment.

Summa Cum Laude | 4.20 GPA and Above
The highest academic distinction awarded by SCVS, recognizing students whose exceptional academic performance reflects outstanding scholarship, effort, and achievement.

Graduation Regalia

The following guidelines establish expectations for academic and extracurricular regalia worn during the SCVS Commencement Ceremony:

  • All decisions regarding graduation attire and regalia are at the discretion of the school principal.

  • All caps, gowns, SCVS stoles, and tassels must be purchased through Herff Jones. Items purchased from other vendors may not be worn during the ceremony.

  • Alterations to the graduation gown, SCVS stole, or tassel are not permitted.

  • Students must wear the official SCVS cap, gown, stole, and tassel as intended in order to participate in the ceremony.

  • Graduation caps may be decorated with an approved design.

  • Only cords, stoles, pins, and medallions that have been pre-approved and issued by the school may be worn.

  • Approved regalia may be earned through nationally recognized honor societies, SCVS honor graduate distinctions, or other approved school organizations and activities.

  • Personalized or non-school-issued graduation regalia may not be worn during the ceremony.

Graduation Ceremony Dress Code

Graduation is a special occasion, and students are expected to wear attire appropriate for a formal ceremony.

Please keep in mind: SCVS graduation caps and gowns are purple, and the official SCVS stole is white.

Recommended Attire

Students are encouraged to wear:

  • Dress pants, a collared dress shirt or polo shirt, and dress shoes. A tie is optional.

  • A dress, skirt and blouse, or dress pants and blouse with appropriate dress shoes.

  • Shoes that are comfortable and easy to walk in, particularly when navigating stairs or areas with limited lighting.

  • Dark-colored clothing and shoes, which generally photograph well beneath the graduation gown.

When selecting attire, students should avoid brightly colored clothing that may be visible below the hem of the gown. Narrower skirts and dresses are also recommended, as fuller styles may add unnecessary volume underneath the graduation gown.

Not Appropriate for the Ceremony

The following items should not be worn:

  • Jeans

  • Shorts

  • Athletic or tennis shoes

  • Flip-flops

  • Slides

Students who have questions about graduation attire or approved regalia should contact SCVS administration before the ceremony.