Valedictorian is an academic title typically conferred upon the highest ranked student among those being graduated from an educational institution. The term is an anglicized derivation of the Latin vale dicere ("to say farewell"), historically rooted in the valedictorian's traditional role as the final speaker at the graduation ceremony. The valedictory address generally is considered a final farewell to classmates, before they disperse as a collective group in order to pursue their individual paths after being graduated.

The title of Salutatorian is given to the second-highest graduate of the entire graduating class of an educational institution. This honor is traditionally based on grades but consideration is also often given to other factors such as extracurricular activities. The title comes from the salutatorian's traditional role as the first speaker at the graduation ceremony, delivering the salutatory address.