1 high school. 21 valedictorians. How did that happen?

A graduating class in New York is making headlines after 21 seniors earned the title of valedictorian, setting a new school record.

Jericho High School, located in Nassau County, New York on Long Island, awarded the honor to all 21 students after each finished high school with straight A’s in every class over four years, according to reports from People, NBC New York, PIX11 News and WSFA 12 News.

According to school officials, students needed at least a 97 average in every course to qualify for an A+.

The school’s previous record was 15 valedictorians.

USA TODAY reached out to Jericho High School, as well as Jericho Union Free School District officials for comment.

Why does the school have so many valedictorians?

Jericho High School uses unweighted letter grades rather than decimal-point GPA rankings to determine valedictorian status.

“It shows a lot of success,” co-principal Brian Cummings told NBC New York. “The difference between a 99.8 and a 99.83 is insignificant so letter grades really capture what we represent.”

Superintendent Robert Kravitz said the grading system gives more students the opportunity to earn academic recognition.

“It gives all of the students some equity and opportunity,” Kravitz told PIX11 News. “So if you have that student who’s not taking advanced placement classes, they can also become a scholar.”

According to WSFA 12 News, most of this year’s valedictorians still chose to take honors and Advanced Placement courses despite the pressure of maintaining perfect grades.

Students reportedly balanced rigorous courses and activities

Many of the students took difficult classes such as AP Physics, AP Economics and multivariable calculus while also participating in clubs, sports and community organizations.

“It was hard,” valedictorian Riya Shah told People. “There were many nights where I wondered why I was putting myself through this.”

Harnoor Joneja, who plans to attend Georgetown University, said she worried rigorous coursework could affect her grades. Outside the classroom, she helped co-found an organization called Empower Her Health, which provides free menstrual products and women’s health education.

Other valedictorians are headed to schools including Yale University, Princeton University and Stanford University.

How will the multiple valedictorians be recognized at graduation?

Typically, a school valedictorian delivers a speech at graduation. With 21 students sharing the title, administrators said this year’s ceremony will look different.

“The students will wear sashes that say valedictorian 2026,” Cummings told NBC New York. “We are trying to create other opportunities to celebrate this incredible accomplishment.”

School leaders also plan to place the valedictorians at the front of the graduation procession and create a video highlighting their accomplishments.

According to People, students said the school’s culture remained collaborative despite the academic competition.

“Despite all the competitiveness, there’s still a lot of collaboration and we are all trying to bring each other up as we go,” valedictorian Tommy Yuan told NBC New York.

The graduation ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, according to the high school's website.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected], or on athompsonUSAT