What phrase meaning 'with honors' is used for graduating students who achieve high grades?

When students achieve exceptional academic results at their graduation, they are often recognized with a special designation known as "cum laude." This phrase, originating from Latin, literally translates to "with praise" or "with honor," serving as a formal acknowledgment of a student's commendable performance during their studies. It signifies that the graduate has completed their degree with a distinguished level of academic excellence.

The tradition of using Latin honors dates back to medieval European universities, where Latin was the common language of scholarship. This practice later spread and was notably adopted in the United States, with Harvard University being one of the first institutions to implement the system around 1872. Universities award these honors to uphold a long-standing tradition of formally recognizing academic achievement, with specific criteria for eligibility, often based on a student's grade point average or class ranking.

"Cum laude" is actually the first tier in a system of three standard Latin honors. Above it are "magna cum laude," meaning "with great praise," and the highest distinction, "summa cum laude," which translates to "with highest praise." While the precise academic requirements for each honor can vary between institutions, earning any of these distinctions, including "cum laude," marks a student as having demonstrated significant dedication and intellectual prowess throughout their academic career.