Valedictorian: Any student who achieves a total weighted GPA of 4.24 or higher at the end of their senior year has qualified to be a Valedictorian of his/her graduating class at El Capitan High School. Any Valedictorian who competes and whose speech is of a quality similar to a selected speaker, will also speak at the graduation ceremony. In addition, a medal will be given to this individual.
Salutatorian: The senior, (who is not a Valedictorian) with the second highest GPA gives the salutatory, or welcoming, speech at commencement.
White Robe: CSF Life Membership
Gold Stole: 100% (CSF 6 Semesters)
Gold Cord: A gold cord is awarded to graduates during the graduation ceremony who have maintained a 3.5 G.P.A. throughout the first seven semesters of high school. This is based on the weighted G.P.A.
Silver Cord: 250 hours of community service is required for this cord.
Bronze Cord: Leadership involvement for 3 years.
Black Cord: LINK involvement for 2 years
Purple Cord: CTE Pathways
Students performing voluntary community service may earn recognition for their work by keeping a record of the hours they contribute. Students earn a purple cord by accumulating 250 hours or more of service within the four years of high school. Community service must be approved before it is undertaken and the hours must be documented and verified; forms are available from the guidance technician in the counseling office. If you begin early and add hours each year, it's easy and the rewards are many. There are hundreds of things you can do and projects you can be involved in that qualify as community service hours. See your counselor for ideas.
Pink Cord: 4 years of involvement required for Band and Colorguard Members
Blue & Gold Cord: At least 3 years of involvement for Ag Members
Academic Hoods: AVID students
White Cap & Gown: A student earns a white cap & gown to be worn during the graduation ceremony by becoming a Life Member of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF). Students must apply for CSF every semester that they qualify. Students must qualify and join for at least 4 out of their last 6 semesters (10th, 11th & 12th grades) including one as a senior. CSF also awards a gold stole for 100% membership, when a student has been eligible and joins for all 8 semesters of high school. Visit or contact the Counseling Department for details.
Scholarships: There are a large number of scholarships given out to ECHS graduates each year. Monthly, the counseling office publishes an announcement entitled, Senior Newsletter to inform students of available scholarships and deadlines. Please refer to the ECHS Home Page for all scholarship and testing information.