The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers partner to present the National Student Poets Program, the country’s highest honor for young poets (grades 10–11) presenting original work

The Selection Process

Five National Student Poets are selected each year from a pool of Gold and Silver National Medalists in grades 10–11 in the poetry category of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the exclusive pathway to be considered for the Program. From this pool of National Medalists, 35 semi-finalist nominees are selected to submit an application to the National Student Poets Program, which includes additional, original work and video-recordings of personal statements and recited poetry. Once the applications are completed, they are submitted to a distinguished jury for the final selection of five National Student Poets.

Eligibility

Students in grades 10–11 who receive a National Medal in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, are U.S citizens, and complete the application requirements are eligible for the National Student Poets Program.
The first step to becoming a National Student Poet requires submitting poetry to the Scholastic Awards. The 2017 Awards season opens September 14, 2016; submissions will remain open throughout the fall. Deadlines vary by region. Click here to join the Scholastic Awards newsletter to receive program updates.
For more information about the National Student Poets Program, please review the FAQ and 2016 Press Release.
If you have any questions about National Student Poets Program, please feel free to contact us at nspp@artandwriting.org.