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Each year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) seeks school nominations of high school seniors for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964, by executive order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation's most distinguished graduating high school seniors. Each year, up to approximately 160 students from across the country are named by the U.S. Department of Education (USED) as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation's highest honors for high school students.
Scholars are chosen based on their accomplishments in many areas — academics, leadership, involvement in their school and the community, and excellence in the arts — and represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America's youth. U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored during the National Recognition Program. To commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.
Please see the chart below for the anticipated general program timelines (which are subject to change). Questions may be emailed to achievement@mass.gov .
As required by the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program , DESE may select and submit to USED a "nomination of up to 10 males and 10 females for the General component, up to five additional students for the arts component, [and] up to five additional students for the CTE component." Students nominated for the arts component "for accomplishment in the visual and performing arts or creative writing" must be "participants of an arts program". See 2025-2026 Nomination Guidelines for full eligibility details.
DESE submits information to USED on selected state student nominees (up to 30 students).
Information about previous years' Candidates, Semi-finalists, and Scholars can be found on the USED Presidential Scholars Program Awards web page.
Last Updated: January 20, 2026