method based approach rather than a function based.

student_class.py

"""
Author: Rafeh Qazi
Create a student class that models a student.
Date: 11/26/2015
"""
from collections import namedtuple


class Student:
    student_counter = 0
    all_students = []
    top_student = ''

    def __init__(self, name, hours, quality_points):
        self.name = name
        self.hours = float(hours)
        self.quality_points = float(quality_points)
        self.result = self.quality_points / self.hours
        Student.student_counter += 1
        Student.all_students.append(self)
        Student.top_student = Student.best_student()

    @classmethod
    def best_student(cls):
        """
        Take all_students as input and return the student with the
        best GPA.
        :return: object
        """
        top_student = Student.all_students[0]
        for student in Student.all_students:
            if student.result > top_student.result:
                top_student = student
        return top_student


def all_student_results(filename):
    """
    Read file and return students' first-name, last-name, hours,
    and the quality points.
    :param filename: string
    :return: list
    """
    Student_info = namedtuple('Student_info',
                              'last_name first_name hours q_points')
    with open(filename, mode='r') as f:
        for line in f:
            line = Student_info(*line.split())
            Student(line.first_name, line.hours, line.q_points)


def print_results(top_student):
    """
    Take the student with the highest GPA and print their report.
    Print the report of the best student.
    :param top_student: object
    """
    print('The best student is {0} who has spent {1} hours and has a {2} gpa.'.format(
        top_student.name, top_student.hours, top_student.result))


def main():
    all_student_results('students.txt')
    # print('Total Students:', Student.student_counter)
    # print('All Students:', Student.all_students)
    print_results(Student.top_student)


if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()