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Academic Awards

Academic Awards–2025-26

Single Year Awards:

Single Year Awards are given to a male and female student at the end of the school year. These students are nominated by the faculty and the staff for each grade level in the following categories:

  • Service
  • Leadership
  • All Around
  • John Henry Newman – Christian Gentleman
  • St. Angela – Christian Gentlewoman

Four Year Awards:

Four Year Awards are given to a male and female student at Graduation. These students are nominated by the faculty and the staff Senior year in the following categories:

  • Walter C. Hulsman – Highest Cumulative GPA
  • Mary Ellen C. Walter - Outstanding Service Award
  • Henry F. Trione - Outstanding Leadership Award
  • John M. Fitzgerald Scholar Athlete Award – Achievement in one or more Varsity sports with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above
  • Thomas M. DeMeo Scholar Artist Award – outstanding arts student with a cumulative GPA of 3.5  or above
  • John Henry Newman Award – Christian Gentleman
  • St. Angela Award – Christian Gentlewoman
Honor Roll Requirements
  • Principal’s List: 4.0 +; no D’s or F’s
  • First Honors: 3.50 - 3.99; no D’s or F’s
  • Second Honors 3.0 - 3.49; no D’s or F’s
Awards

To qualify for the Cardinal Newman Academic Award, a student must illustrate integrity and have a 3.5 or higher GPA, according to the following schedule:

  • Freshman Certificate of Merit: 2 semesters out of 2 semesters; no “D’s” or “F’s”
  • Sophomore Red Block:  4 semesters out of 4 semesters; no “D’s” or “F’s”
  • Junior Gold Block: 5 semesters out of 6 semesters; no “D’s” or “F’s”
  • Senior Honor Medal:  6 semesters out of 7 semesters; no “D’s” or “F’s;” must include the Fall Semester of senior year

Note: Transfer students will be awarded based on the number of enrolled semesters earning honors standing at Cardinal Newman.

Principal’s Pins:

A Principal’s Pin will be given to a student at the end of the school year who has achieved a 4.0 or above for 2 out of 2 semesters during the current school year with no “D” or “F” grades. These pins are awarded at each grade level.

Department Awards:

Awards are given to students by each department based on that department's criteria. Department Awards are given to two students per course.

Students should record any awards received in the resume section in their MaiaLearning account to help with their college applications. Cardinal Newman staff and counselors are not responsible for keeping a record of these awards.

California Scholarship Federation:

The purpose of the CSF is to give recognition and encouragement for scholarship, service, and citizenship to students in the high schools of California. The motto of the CSF is “Scholarship for Service.” The requirements for membership are:

  1. Satisfactory and approved service and character record.
  2. CSF points are based on select subject grades (approximately 3.5 GPA minimum).

A student enrolled at Cardinal Newman in seven subjects (not including physical education or repeated subjects) must earn a minimum of 10 CSF points per semester to be eligible for CSF. A grade of “D” or “F” in any subject excludes a student from CSF membership for that semester. 

Membership is determined by CSF points earned and a completed application each semester. Students who have earned CSF membership for four semesters in grades 10, 11, and 12, including one semester in the senior year, become CSF Seal bearers. This honor entitles the student to receive first priority in applying for CSF scholarships. A CSF Seal bearer is entitled to a gold cord at graduation. This federation ranks the highest in the State of California. 

Applications for CSF are made available from the College Counselor. 

Award Ceremonies 

A variety of scholastic, citizenship and scholarship awards are presented at two special awards ceremonies. The Senior Awards Ceremony is held in May during a scheduled time in the evening.  The Awards Ceremony for grades 9, 10, and 11 is held in September of the following year. Parents of students receiving major awards are invited to attend these ceremonies. 

Valedictorian Requirements: 

Cardinal Newman High School will determine Valedictorian/s based on highest Cardinal Newman GPA scores through the 3rd Progress Check of the 8th semester. The student/s must have attended Cardinal Newman for at least three years and remain in good standing. The Valedictorian delivering the address at graduation is at the discretion of the administration. The 2nd highest cumulative weighted GPA will qualify as Salutatorian. Students with matching highest cumulative weighted GPAs will share the Valedictorian title.