In the United States, the graduating class has a Valedictorian and a Salutatorian, which are the first and second highest ranked students in the class. I don't believe Middle School has a Valedictorian. If they do, it's new since I went to school. In college, we have Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, and Cum Laude. They are the highest ranked students graduating with a bachelor's degree. There can be a number of students in each rank, I believe.