The internet had a lot to say about this Long Island school’s 21 valedictorians

Jericho High School in Nassau County has long been known on Long Island for its academic intensity, but this year’s graduating class brought unusual attention. The school named 21 valedictorians, all of whom finished with A-plus averages in one of New York’s most competitive public school environments. A photo of the students circulated widely online after viewers pointed out that the group appeared overwhelmingly Asian American.

In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, Jericho High School is ranked No. 108 nationally and No. 9 in New York. Unlike many schools near the top of the national list, Jericho is neither a magnet school nor a charter school and does not use selective admissions.

Students routinely take schedules packed with AP Physics, AP Calculus BC, multivariable calculus and advanced research electives while balancing orchestra, athletics, debate and Science Olympiad. The school offers 27 AP courses and dozens of college-level classes. According to the school’s profile, about 90% of graduating seniors complete AP coursework before graduation.

School officials said the 21 valedictorians came from a graduating class of roughly 300 students. Rather than naming a single top-ranked senior, Jericho awards valedictorian status to every student who maintains an A-plus average throughout high school. “The difference between a 99.8 and a 99.83 is insignificant so letter grades really capture what we represent,” co-principal Brian Cummings told NBC New York.

Several students said maintaining near-perfect grades required years of sustained pressure and late nights studying.

“It was hard. There were many nights where I wondered why I was putting myself through this,” valedictorian Riya Shah told ABC30. Harnoor Joneja said AP Calculus BC was “one of the hardest classes I’ve ever taken in high school.” She told NBC New York that she worried about losing her average during senior year but “tried hard and kept my average up.”

Administrators said the graduating class reflected more than GPA performance. “We have National Merit Scholars; we have musicians at the highest level,” Cummings told ABC30. Many of the valedictorians are expected to attend universities including Princeton, Yale and Georgetown this fall.

Because 21 valedictorians could not realistically deliver speeches at commencement, the school planned alternative recognition during graduation, including special sashes and a tribute video.

Online discussions focused on the fact that the valedictorians appeared overwhelmingly Asian American. Asian students make up roughly 70% of enrollment at Jericho High School, according to Niche.

Jericho and nearby districts including Syosset, Herricks and Great Neck have developed reputations for rigorous academics and strong college placement records. The district’s academic reputation has also made it one of the most competitive housing markets on Long Island, with families often moving into the area specifically for its schools.

The story spread across social media, where discussion quickly split between praise for the students’ achievement and criticism of the school’s grading system.

On Reddit, users compared Jericho’s academic culture to their own experiences in competitive schools and colleges, with many debating whether extreme high school achievement translates into long-term success. “I knew a lot of kids who excelled in high school, but really struggled in college because they didn’t have the built-in structure anymore,” one commenter wrote. Another user added, “I think these kids kick ass. I hope they learn that being #1 is not the end goal.”

One widely shared Instagram post argued that naming 21 valedictorians weakened the meaning of the title. He described the recognition as “grade inflation on steroids,” adding, “When nearly two dozen kids can all claim the top academic spot, the title stops meaning anything.” Some users also questioned whether weighted GPA should have been used instead.

Some commenters defended the students and pointed to Jericho’s academic reputation. “These students work unbelievably hard not just academically, but in everything they do,” one user replied. Another commenter pointed out that Jericho is “one of the best in the nation” and said the students’ success was “not a case of grade inflation.”