Valedictorian & Salutatorian Criteria (’26-’27 Onward)
-Cumulative GPAs for seniors are pulled during the first two weeks of Q4.
- Any grade changes or replacements made by a student wanting to be considered for Valedictorian or Salutatorian MUST be completed and recorded by the start of Q4.
-All candidates must have a 4.0 GPA to be eligible. In the event no students have a 4.0, the next highest GPAs will be considered.
-After GPA, the deciding factor will be the number of semesters of AP and CE classes. No semester will be counted if the class wasn’t fully completed (i.e. a full semester of a CE class or a full year of an AP class).
-In the event of a tie, the highest ACT score of each candidate will be the tiebreaker.
Senior Awards Night
-We want to recognize your incredible efforts! Students who meet the requirements are invited to a special awards ceremony each spring before graduation.
- 2026 Senior Awards Night = Monday, May 18th from 6-7pm
-Did you miss the Senior Awards Packet Presentation done on 4/13 during Homeroom (by invitation only)? See Ms. Calton for details or view the Presentation Slides.
- The Senior Awards Packet is due by the end of the school day on Friday, April 24th
- Visit the Counseling Center to turn in your packet.
Diploma of Merit & Department Awards
-The Diploma of Merit is a special diploma recognizing outstanding academic achievement.
- Who qualifies: Students with GPAs and CPAs of 3.0 and above and at least two areas within the curriculum where they meet the qualifications for areas of distinction are eligible for the Diploma of Merit.
- Each department within the curriculum also offers an Award of Excellence for students who have a high level of success in the respective department.
- How to apply: The application for the Diploma of Merit is included in the Senior Awards Packet. Graduating students may pick up packets to fill out at the beginning of Q4, located with Suzy in the Counseling Center. If you qualify and have applied, your Diploma of Merit will automatically be awarded.
-The requirements for Diploma of Merit and Award of Excellence for each department are in the links below:
- Academic Excellence Award Requirements (Google Document)
- Athletic Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Business Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Dance Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Debate Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- MLL Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- English Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- FACS Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Health Science Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Math Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Music Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Science Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Service Award Requirements (Google Document)
- Skilled and Technical Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Social Studies Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Theatre Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- Visual Art Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
- World Language Department Awards Requirements (Google Document)
SLCC Certificate of Completion
-Earn up to 39 college credits at Cottonwood High School and earn a certificate of completion through Salt Lake Community College.
- View the guide for how to earn this here (PDF).
Schedule an appointment with your counselor if you need help or have any additional questions.
