dailyloe.com – This year, Jericho High School in Long Island has 21 valedictorians, each graduating with a perfect GPA. These students achieved A+ grades throughout their four years of high school.
Liv Akiva, one of the valedictorians, expressed pride in the school’s strong community. She stated, “I think it’s so amazing,” regarding their shared accomplishment.
This marks a record for the school, which previously had 15 valedictorians. Co-principal Brian Cummings noted that to achieve an A+, students must maintain a 97 or higher average.
Cummings commented, “It shows a lot of success,” emphasizing the school’s long-standing grading policy. He remarked on the minimal difference in high scores, asserting that letter grades accurately reflect achievement.
These students excelled while taking challenging courses, including AP Physics and Multi Variable Calculus. Valedictorian Harnoor Joneja recalled, “I took Calculus BC, that was one of the hardest classes I’ve ever taken in high school.”
Joneja also mentioned concerns about maintaining her average but remained focused on her goal. This commitment to excellence often led them to miss social events.
Graduation typically includes a speech from the valedictorian, but with 21 students, Jericho High School plans to create a video instead. Cummings stated, “The students will wear sashes that say valedictorian 2026.”
He added that the school is seeking alternative ways to celebrate their remarkable achievements. Tommy Yuan, another valedictorian, emphasized collaboration among peers, saying, “Despite all the competitiveness there’s still a lot of collaboration and we are all trying to bring each other up as we go.”
These students focused on their academic pursuits while supporting one another, highlighting the spirit of Jericho High School.
