Each year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) Commissioner seeks school nominations of high school seniors for the U.S. Presidential Scholar's 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 (U.S. DOE) 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, and involvement in their school and the community and represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in America's youth. U.S. Presidential Scholars are honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program each June and to commemorate their achievement, the Scholars are awarded the Presidential Scholars Medallion.
Please see the chart below for general program timelines. Specific dates for a given year may vary. Dates and details for each year are publicized once confirmed.
Current and prior Candidates, Semi-finalists, and Scholars can be found on the U.S. DOE Presidential Scholars web site.
Details for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program will be available in early fall 2023.
Last Updated: September 15, 2023
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148-4906
Voice: (781) 338-3000 TTY: (800) 439-2370
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