Amid rising concerns over academic competition and grade-related stress, several Bucks County high schools are reconsidering class rankings, writes Kai Lincke for the Bucks County Courier Times.

Six years ago, Neshaminy School District administrators expressed their concerns to the school board, citing class rank as a source of social and emotional stress for students. They noted that the system discouraged them from enrolling in courses they were passionate about because such classes were viewed as less academic and did not positively impact GPA or class rank.

As a result, starting with the class of 2024, the school board eliminated class rank and discontinued naming valedictorian and salutatorian.

During 2025 graduation ceremonies, Pennsbury, Palisades and Pennridge were among the schools that did not name a valedictorian or a salutatorian, while New Hope, Bensalem and Truman High School in Bristol continued to do so.

Meanwhile, the Council Rock, Centennial and Quakertown Community School districts, along with private Archbishop Wood High School, have confirmed that they do not use class rank at their high schools.

At Council Rock, graduation speakers included the student class president and two students selected by audition.

Read more about how Bucks County schools are rethinking tradition and what these changes mean for future graduates in the Bucks County Courier Times.

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Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on BUCKSCO Today in July 2025