20 Writing Competitions for High School Students
Writing is an essential skill that plays a crucial role in the academic and professional success of students. Writing competitions are an excellent way for high school students to showcase their creativity, critical thinking, and written communication skills. These competitions provide a platform for young writers to gain recognition, receive feedback, and improve their craft. However, with so many writing competitions available, it can be challenging for students to know which ones are worth entering.
In this blog post, we have compiled a list of 20 writing competitions for high school students that are reputable, prestigious, and even offer valuable rewards! Whether you are passionate about poetry, fiction, non-fiction, or playwriting, there is a competition on this list that will suit your interests and showcase your talent. From regional to national and international competitions, there is an opportunity for every young writer to challenge themselves and shine.
20 Writing Competitions for High School Students
Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is one of the most prestigious art and writing competitions for middle and high school students grades 7-12. High school students can submit creative works across 28 different categories, including short stories, personal essays, poetry, and screenplays. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards recognize students both locally and nationally with awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships. National Medalists are eligible to win scholarships up to $12,500.
The Bennington Young Writers Awards
Bennington College has an impressive history of literary alumni, including three U.S. poet laureates, twelve Pulitzer Prize winners, four MacArthur Geniuses, two of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, and countless of New York Times bestsellers. The Young Writers Awards were created to continue this legacy, promote writing excellence , and recognize talented high school writers. High school students in 9th-12th grades are encouraged to submit to poetry, fiction, and nonfiction categories.
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy features the accounts of eight American senators who risked their political careers to uphold the nation's welfare. These leaders exemplified political bravery by taking a stance for the greater good, despite the influence of interest groups, party affiliations, or even their own constituents. To promote the concept of political courage, the Profile in Courage Essay Contest encourages students to craft an innovative and unique essay that showcases their comprehension of political courage as depicted in Profiles in Courage. High school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to apply.
https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest
NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing
The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) hosts the annual Achievement Awards in Writing, which recognizes high school sophomores and juniors for the best student writing. Students can submit a personal narrative, fictional story, informative or persuasive essay, series of poems, photo essay, or a graphic novel/narrative.
Princeton University Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize
The Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize recognizes high school juniors for outstanding poetry, judged by poets on the Princeton University creative writing faculty. Applicants can submit up to three poems to this writing competition. First, second, and third place winners will receive cash prizes. Honorable mentions will receive recognition.
https://arts.princeton.edu/about/opportunities/high-school-contests/poetry-contest/
YoungArts
YoungArts discovers talented young artists, magnifies their potential, and dedicates resources to their future creative aspirations. High school students ages 15-18 are invited to apply to the discipline of their choice: Classical Music, Dance, Design Arts, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, and Writing. Winners will be invited to attend weeklong programs and workshops in Los Angeles, New York, and Miami. Finalists will be invited to National YoungArts Week and will be eligible for nomination as U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts, as well as financial awards of up to $10,000.
American Foreign Service Association National High School Essay Contest
The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) National High School Essay Contest is an annual competition open to all high school students in the United States. The contest encourages students to explore and analyze current international issues, develop their research and writing skills, and demonstrate their understanding of diplomacy and foreign policy. The winners receive cash prizes and a trip to Washington, D.C., where they can meet with diplomats and policymakers, as well as tour the capital's cultural sites.
The Ocean Awareness Student Contest
This Ocean Awareness Student Contest is an arts and writing competition for students ages 11-18. The goal of the Ocean Awareness Contest is to motivate students to learn about and examine environmental issues and become advocates for positive change through art and writing. The contest offers cash prizes for original work on ocean conservation themes, including poetry, prose, and visual art.
https://bowseat.org/programs/ocean-awareness-contest/contest-overview/
Bill of Rights Institute We The Students Essay Contest
Founded by the Bill of Rights Institute, the We The Students Essay Contest is an annual writing competition for high school students. The goal of the We The Students Essay Contest is to encourage high school students to think critically about the principles of the U.S. Constitution and its relevance to current events in the U.S. High school students interested in exploring the role of politics and government on our society are encouraged to participate and submit their writing works.
The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers
High school sophomores and juniors can participate in the Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize, which was established in 2007 to acknowledge exceptional young poets. The competition is named after Patricia Grodd, who generously supported the Kenyon Review and its initiatives, while also exhibiting a deep devotion to education and a profound fondness for poetry. The winner will be granted a full scholarship to the upcoming summer Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop. Additionally, the winner and two runners-up will have their poems featured in the print version of the Kenyon Review and online.
SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest
SPJ/JEA is a writing competition for high school students to examine the role of media and journalism in our lives. “The Sigma Delta Chi Foundation of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Journalism Education Association want to increase high school students' knowledge and understanding of the importance of independent media to our lives.” National winners will be granted scholarship awards.
http://jea.org/wp/home/awards-honors/high-school-essay-contest/
The Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival
The Blank Theatre Young Playwrights Festival is an annual event that celebrates the works of young and emerging playwrights. The competition is open to all high school students in the United States, and winners have the opportunity to see their plays performed by professional actors in a fully staged production. The Blank Theatre's mission is to provide a nurturing environment for young writers to develop their skills and talents while also promoting the importance of theatre in our culture. The festival has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, the California Arts Council, and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, among others.
Jane Austen Society Essay Contest
The Jane Austen Society Essay Contest is an annual competition that invites high school and college students to submit their essays on Jane Austen's novels and their impact on literature and society. The contest is organized by the Jane Austen Society of North America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the study and appreciation of Jane Austen's works. The contest is open to students from all over the world, and the winners receive cash prizes and a one-year membership in the Jane Austen Society. The contest aims to encourage young writers to engage with Austen's timeless themes and to inspire the next generation of Austen scholars and enthusiasts.
John Locke Essay Competition
The John Locke Essay Competition is a writing competition for young writers, named after the renowned English philosopher who championed individual rights and liberties. Participants are invited to submit an essay on a given topic related to politics, history, philosophy, theology, law, psychology or economics. The competition is organized by the John Locke Institute, an educational charity that seeks to promote critical thinking and the study of classical liberal ideas. The winners receive a cash prize, and the top essays are published on the institute's website. The competition provides young writers with a platform to share their ideas and engage in meaningful discussions about politics, economics, and philosophy.
Teen Ink
Teen Ink is an online magazine that offers writing contests for high school students throughout the year, with prizes for the best submissions in various categories, including poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Students can submit poetry, articles, books, novels, art, photos, and videos.
EngineerGirl Writing Contest
Hosted by the National Academy of Engineering, EngineerGirl is an annual competition for elementary, middle, and high school students to write about engineering. High school students will write an essay responding to a specific prompt, exploring the role and impact that engineering has on our society.
https://www.engineergirl.org/128750/EngineerGirl-Writing-Contest
World Historian Student Essay Competition
The World Historian Student Essay Competition is an annual writing competition for high school students around the world. The contest is organized by the World History Association, an organization dedicated to promoting the study of world history. Participants are asked to submit an essay on a given topic related to world history, and the winners are selected based on the quality of their writing and their historical analysis. The competition aims to encourage students to think critically about historical events and their impact on the world today. The winners receive a cash prize, a certificate of recognition, and their essays are published on the World History Association's website. The competition provides young writers with an opportunity to showcase their research and writing skills while also promoting the importance of studying world history.
https://www.thewha.org/wha-awards/world-historian-student-essay-competition/
The Voice of Democracy Essay Contest
The Voice of Democracy Essay contest is an annual scholarship competition sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). High school students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit an essay on a given theme related to patriotism and American history. The purpose of the contest is to encourage students to think critically about their responsibilities as citizens of the United States and to honor the sacrifices of our nation's veterans. The winners receive scholarships, and their essays are published in the VFW magazine. The Voice of Democracy Essay contest is a meaningful way for students to learn about the importance of patriotism and to honor the service of our veterans.
https://www.vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships
The Adroit Journal Prizes for Poetry and Prose
The Adroit Journal Prizes for Poetry and Prose are two separate annual writing competitions that recognize outstanding young writers in high school and college. The contests are organized by The Adroit Journal, a literary magazine that publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction by emerging writers. Participants are invited to submit their best work in either poetry or prose, and the winners receive a cash prize, publication in The Adroit Journal, and a mentorship from a noted writer in their genre. The Adroit Journal Prizes for Poetry and Prose are highly competitive and have become known for discovering and nurturing talented young writers. These contests provide a unique opportunity for young writers to gain recognition and exposure for their work, as well as to receive mentorship from established writers in their field.
The Ten-Minute Play Contest
The Ten-Minute Play Contest is an annual writing competition for high school students organized by the Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University. The contest challenges participants to write an original ten-minute play that can be performed on stage. The contest is open to all high school students across the United States, and the winners receive a cash prize, publication in an anthology of plays, and a staged reading of their play by professional actors at Princeton University. The Ten-Minute Play Contest is a unique opportunity for young writers to explore their creativity and hone their skills in playwriting. The contest provides a platform for young writers to showcase their work and engage with professional actors and playwrights in a supportive environment.
https://arts.princeton.edu/about/opportunities/high-school-contests/ten-minute-play-contest/
One More Option: Inspirit AI
If you are interested in conducting your own research — and crafting your own research paper as a high school student — consider applying to the 1:1 Mentorship Program at Inspirit AI! Research experience is a great way to demonstrate and engage your passion for STEM and research writing, and our mentors – hailing from the world's top research institutions and tech companies – will walk you through an entire research project from start to end. Whether you are a coding novice or a virtuoso, our individualized mentorship program will help you develop an exceptional AI-focused research project. For more information, do not hesitate to contact Inspirit AI with questions.
