Academic Awards & Honors for High School Students

Awards on this page — congressional medals, presidential honors, national subject awards — certify achievement you have already built elsewhere, which makes them the highest-leverage applications you can file.

Most students never apply for the honors they already qualify for; an hour of paperwork here regularly outperforms a semester of new activity.

47 verified programs match this page; 22 of the featured listings are completely free; 15 can be done online.

Featured programs

Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:

• Forbes 30 Under 30 Recognition — Forbes Magazine: Gain national recognition as a high school entrepreneur with Forbes 30 Under 30. Boost college applications and showcase your achievements in business
• Caltech Signature Award for Innovation — California Institute of Technology: Earn recognition for your groundbreaking ideas in science with this free high school research award. Boost your college applications and showcase your
• U.S. Presidential Scholars Program — U.S. Department of Education: Earn national recognition as a U.S. Presidential Scholar, the highest honor for top high school seniors. Boost college applications and showcase leade
• National High School Musical Theatre Awards (Jimmy Awards) — Broadway League: Compete in a prestigious national musical theatre competition in NYC! Showcase your talent, gain performance skills, and boost your college applicatio
• Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Special Awards — Various Organizations at ISEF: Organizations award 600+ special awards at ISEF. Includes NASA, Army, Navy, Air Force, and specialty organizations.
• Society for Neuroscience Young Investigator Award — Society for Neuroscience: Recognizes exceptional high school students conducting neuroscience research. Winners present at annual neuroscience conferences.
• International Thespian Society — EdTA: Earn recognition for theatre achievements and build creative skills with the International Thespian Society. Perfect for college applications and hand
• Indiana Academic Honors Diploma — Indiana Department of Education: Earn the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma by completing a rigorous curriculum. Boost college applications, showcase academic excellence, and stand out
• Princeton Prize in Race Relations — Princeton University: For students promoting race relations. Regional winners + symposium at Princeton.
• Duke of Edinburgh's International Award — Duke of Edinburgh Award: International youth achievement award. Service, skill, physical, expedition.
• Astronaut Scholarship Foundation — Astronaut Scholarship Foundation: Prestigious STEM scholarship awarded by U.S. astronauts to high school seniors. Boost college applications and gain recognition for your passion in sc
• Yale Science & Engineering Association Award — YSEA: Special award at ISEF and regional fairs for outstanding research.
• Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society — NCSS: Join Rho Kappa, the leading honor society for high school social studies enthusiasts. Build leadership skills, enhance college applications, and celeb
• State Seal of Biliteracy — Various State Departments of Education: Earn the State Seal of Biliteracy to showcase bilingual skills on your diploma and transcript. Boost college applications and gain recognition for lan
• World Language Honor Societies (Multiple Languages) — Various: Join world language honor societies to excel in Spanish, French, Latin, and more. Boost cultural skills, earn recognition, and enhance your college ap
• Harvard Prize Book Award — Harvard Club: Awarded to outstanding juniors. Nominated by school. Prestigious recognition.
• U.S. Presidential Scholars Program in the Arts — U.S. Department of Education: Highest honor bestowed upon American arts students by the U.S. President. 20 students selected annually via YoungArts for national recognition ceremon
• Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards — Hispanic Heritage Foundation: Celebrate Latino heritage through this national competition for high school seniors. Win $3,000 scholarships while boosting leadership skills and coll
• Cappies (Critics and Awards Program) — Cappies: Join a unique arts competition where high school critics review live theatre and hone writing skills. Build your portfolio for college and enjoy a sta
• College Board National Recognition Program Awards — College Board: Gain national recognition as a high-achieving, underrepresented high school student. Strengthen college applications with this free academic award for
• InnerView National Community Service Awards — InnerView: Earn national recognition for volunteer impact in this free online program for high school students. Build skills, boost college applications, and mak
• National Latin Exam Summa Cum Laude — National Latin Exam: Highest score category on National Latin Exam. Recognizes exceptional Latin language proficiency and cultural knowledge.
• Kohl's Cares Scholarship — Kohl's Corporation: Earn a scholarship while boosting college apps through volunteering and leadership. Open to high schoolers in grades 9-12. Perfect for service-focused
• Texas Academy of Science High School Awards — Texas Academy of Science: Recognition for Texas high school students presenting research at Texas Academy of Science annual meeting.
• FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Dean's List Finalist — FIRST: Top individual student award in FRC. 10 winners selected from ~300 semi-finalists.
• Le Grand Concours National Gold Medal — American Association of Teachers of French: Top national performers in National French Contest. Highest recognition for French language achievement.
• Davidson Fellows Honorable Mention — Davidson Institute: $10,000 awards for significant projects in STEM, literature, music, philosophy, or outside the box. Under 18 at application.
• Barry Goldwater Excellence in Education — Goldwater Foundation: Recognition program leading to Goldwater Scholarship eligibility in college.
• Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes — Barron Prize: 25 winners receive $10,000. For young leaders making positive difference.
• National History Day Special Prizes — National History Day / Various Organizations: Compete for special prizes at National History Day! Middle and high school students develop research skills, earn recognition, and boost college appli

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