U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Congratulations to the 2018-2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program winners from Arizona:

  • Saaketh Ram-Rachakonda Narayan, Phoenix – BASIS Scottsdale Charter
  • Amy Zhou, Scottsdale – Scottsdale Preparatory Academy
  • Adrian Henry Kwiatkowski, Mesa – Red Mountain High School (CTE Winner)
  • Ruth Nyagaka, Gilbert – Williams Field High School (CTE Winner)

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. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields. Each year many students are named as Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.

Awards

Students chosen as U.S. Presidential Scholars receive an expense-paid trip to Washington, D. C. and the U.S. Presidential Scholars medallion at a ceremony sponsored by the White House, in commemoration of their achievements. No scholarship money or cash prize is awarded for this program.

For the general component of the program, students who meet the following criteria:

  • Are or will be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents by the application deadline (Students who were not U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent U.S. Residents on the day they took SAT or ACT exam, or who requested that The College Board or ACT not release their scores to outside entities, should contact the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program at (319) 688-4345 to ensure their scores are considered in the determination of the candidate pool.);
  • Graduate or receive a diploma between January and August of 2018, the current program year; and
  • Score exceptionally well on either the SAT of the College Board or the ACT of the American College Testing Program, based on tests taken during the two-year window that begins in September 2015 and runs through October 2017 (for the recognition cycle concluding in June 2018), nominated by their Chief State School Officer (CSSO) or nominated by one of our partner recognition organizations based on outstanding scholarship.
  • What is the CEEB? The College Entrance Examination Board Number refers to a 6-digit code that is assigned to each high school, which identifies it to colleges and universities. This is one item that is required to be submitted to the federal office. You may be able to search for your CEEB code.