CAMPUS LEVEL 

• The Academy Distinction is an achievement all students can earn through engagement in academy-specific courses and opportunities. Below are the additional requirements to receive the Academy Graduation Distinction. See the Academy Distinction page for specific requirements.

• The Maroon Society honors the top five outstanding seniors who have contributed to the Austin High community with their service, commitment, and example of what it means to be Loyal Forever.

• English, Math, Social Studies, Science
• The recipients of this award must be seniors that have completed 7 semesters or more in any of the above subjects, earning a minimum of a 95 or better, in each semester. 

• The recipients of this award must be seniors that have completed 7 semesters or more ina world language, earning a minimum of a 95 or better, in each semester. 

• Business and Industry Endorsement, Biomedical Pathway, Computer Science Pathway, and Engineering Pathway
• The recipients must be seniors that have taken 7 semesters of courses in the specified pathway/endorsement, and earning a minimum of a 90 or better in each semester.

• Band, Choir, Dance, Orchestra, Theatre, and Visual Arts
• The recipients must be seniors that have committed to four years in one of our fine arts programs.

• The recipients of this award must be seniors in the AVID program. AVID tutors voted on the top AVID students based on the following criteria (also set by seniors):
  • Great Note-Taking
  • Great Leadership
  • Helpful in Tutorials
  • Great Representation of AVID
  • Demonstrates Determination

DISTRICT LEVEL

• The recipients must be scholastically within the top ten percent of their class group based on either their cumulative grade point average (GPA) or their rank GPA at the end of the first five reporting periods for the school year. The GPA calculations for this award use current school year grades only. A student who receives an “I” or an “NC” grade shall not be eligible to receive the award. 

• The recipients must be students in grades 9th-12th who receive special education services. This award recognizes and encourages academic achievement and citizenship. The recipients must be scholastically within the top ten percent of their class group based on either their cumulative grade point average (GPA) or their rank GPA at the end of the first five reporting periods for the school year, and must have at least 29 percent of their overall coursework as TEKS modified; or two or more courses in the current school year as TEKS modified.

• The recipients of this award must be senior participants in any UIL sponsored event. A student receiving this award must be in the top 10% of their class. 

• The recipients are selected from a list of students provided by the district. Austin High administration selected the top female and male senior student as well as the student with the highest GPA in each grade level.

• The recipients of these awards are Latino students selected by AISD. Austin High administration selected the student from each grade level with the highest GPA.

STATE/NATIONAL LEVEL

• Becoming a National Merit Finalist is competitive and requires a top score on the PSAT. Although it varies from state to state, most students must score above 1400 (out of 1520) to qualify as a Semifinalist. Through an application process Semifinalists can compete to move on to Finalist standing. The National Merit competition uses a Selection Index that is based on Reading, Math, and Writing test scores, so mastering all three sections is key. 15,000 of the 16,000 Semifinalists move on to Finalist standing.

• The National Hispanic Recognition Program recognizes approximately 5,000 Hispanic/Latino juniors each year from among the more than 400,000 juniors who take the PSAT. The student’s junior year PSAT is used as the qualifying test.