Class ranking is a system used in educational institutions to determine a student's position relative to their peers based on academic performance. It typically considers grades, test scores, and other academic achievements to assign a numerical rank. This ranking helps students understand their standing within their class and can influence college admissions and scholarship opportunities. In many schools, the highest-ranking student is often referred to as the valedictorian, while the second-highest may be called the salutatorian. Class rankings can vary by institution, as some schools may not use this system at all, opting instead for alternative methods of evaluating student performance, such as grade point averages (GPAs).