What is the highest academic rank achievable at the U.S. Naval Academy?

The highest academic rank achievable at the U.S. Naval Academy is reflected in the status of Valedictorian. This title is awarded to the student with the highest academic performance in their graduating class. It is distinguished from the Dean's List, which recognizes students who achieve a high GPA each semester but does not denote a singular top rank among all graduates. Similarly, while "Summa Cum Laude" signifies high honors based on GPA, it does not specifically indicate that a student is the highest achiever in the class. The Honors Program also recognizes students who meet a specific criteria of academic excellence throughout their studies, but again, it does not equate to being the top of the class like the Valedictorian title does. Therefore, the correct identification of the highest attainable rank within the U.S. Naval Academy is indeed Valedictorian.