Can I become valedictorian?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I used to not care about GPA ranking too much–as long as I had a good enough GPA, I felt fine–but I want to beat a kid in my class who earns great grades but cheats and is condescending towards other people.

Other than having the highest GPA, there are no additional requirements for being valedictorian. I will be entering my junior year of high school this coming fall, and I currently have a GPA of 4.7. I am also ranked ninth in my grade. Is there any way that I can become valedictorian? I know that moving up eight spots may be difficult, but I am prepared to study for as many advanced classes as needed.

My school determines valedictorian at the end of junior year.

Is this a lofty goal, or can it actually be accomplished with hard work? I would appreciate any insight or advice.

2

I suspect its not likely. But do you know the GPA of the kid who is ranked #1? How close are you? At some schools, the differences among the top 10 or 20 kids is fractions of a GPA point. Big difference if the current #1 is at a 4.85 versus 4.75.

You could look at your current GPA and calculate the highest it could be based on your schedule next year. If that is not higher than what the current #1 has then its not likely to happen (unless the #1 and kids 2-8 stumble next year which wouldn’t seem likely).

And even then you may not know because just like your GPA could improve next year, presumably the GPA of kids #1-8 will improve as well. At many/most schools, kid who graduates with highest GPA gets all As and GPA increases throughout school (on a weighted basis).