Apparently, this trend is taking over the nation but South Jersey is finally jumping on board: Starting next year, the Class of 2019 will no longer hold a 'class rank' system in a growing number of South Jersey High Schools.

Ocean City is the most recent to join the motion that will now hold students to a college level of academic achievement with "summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude". In terms of finding a valedictorian, the district will base that off of academic achievement and speech writing abilities by it's students.

Principle Matt Jamison of Ocean City High School says,

The research shows that a class ranking from number one on down is simply not the best measurement of overall student engagement, achievement and success

Reasons for this movement are based off a study that suggests 'class rank' is not a good way to measure a students overall engagement, achievement and success. This also gives the students an opportunity to individualize themselves, rather than being compared to their classmates.

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