Senior Information

To graduate, Gilroy High students must:

1. Earn 220 credits in these subject areas:

2. For Class of 2023 only: Complete 55 hours of community service. Learn more about the district's community service requirements. 

As of June 7, 2021, high school students will be able to resume in-person community service activities, in order to complete the requirement for graduation.  Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, community service hours needed for graduation have been prorated:

• Using the prorated five hours per quarter philosophy:

  • The Class of 2023 will need to complete 55 hours of community service.

  • The Class of 2024 will be required to complete 60 hours as part of the graduation requirements. 

In addition, beginning with the class of 2024, students will be required to complete 20 hours by May 1 of each school year in order to be eligible for school-sponsored activities (ie Prom, Winter Ball, Athletic team participation, etc ). Students must turn in any hours completed within 30 days of completion in order to receive credit for those hours. 

The top five highest GPAs of the senior class (as of the fourth-quarter progress report) who has completed a minimum of 5 semesters at Gilroy High School, will be eligible for valedictorian and salutatorian candidacies. A selection panel will decide valedictorian and salutatorian based on academic accomplishments and these factors:

• Academic program strength (honors, Advanced Placement, college-level courses, etc.)
• Students must be exemplary role models, so each candidate's discipline history will be considered.
• Community service and school activity involvement will also be taken into consideration. The quantity and quality of the community service hours will be reviewed. The student's involvement in extracurricular activities such as performing arts, athletics, clubs, etc., will be considered.
• Each student will write their own speech (three to four minutes) and be asked to read it to the panel as part of the selection process. The speech will be scored on content and delivery.

Candidates will also be asked to provide an updated resume for the panel to review. It should list scholarships and grants and other honors from the Senior Awards Night.

The selection panel, which consists of administrators, teachers and student services staff will make the final decision after speeches are heard and all other factors taken into consideration. The candidate with the highest score will be valedictorian and the second highest will be the salutatorian for the senior class.

This school year if senior students are assigned Saturday school at any time for any reason, they must attend on the assigned day. If the student does not comply, they will be in danger of losing senior privileges, up to and possibly including graduation ceremonies. Also, seniors will no longer be allowed to make-up days for assigned Saturday schools. Please contact the school should you have any questions regarding this policy.

GUSD has partnered with Going Merry to provide students with a comprehensive website to view the many available scholarships. Create an account and start accessing the scholarship list today! Deadline to submit applications is TBD.  

Steps to apply for scholarships on Going Merry:

1. Complete Profile section.
2. Request letters of recommendation from Documents (located on Profile page). These will be used for all scholarships you apply to.
3. Click on Local to view scholarships applicable to GUSD and other local scholarships.
4. Save your personal statement on Google Doc. You will need to copy and paste onto each application.

OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS

In addition to Going Merry, we also have a list of additional scholarships that utilize their own application. There are many other opportunities to get money for your higher education. Don’t miss out! Check our list of scholarships with various upcoming deadlines that are available to GHS students.

RESOURCES IN APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS 

TRANSCRIPTS

You will need to request your transcript from the Registrar. Once you have received your transcript, you will need to upload to the document section in Going Merry (Common Application Scholarships) or attach to the applications for the Other Scholarships. Request your transcript 

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Please fill out the form linked below in order to provide your teacher, counselor or other recommender with valuable information to write the best letter of recommendation possible. Letter of Recommendation Request Form 

ESSAY TIPS

See Going Merry’s helpful tips on writing an essay for your scholarship applications. Essay Tips