Top 10 Creative Writing Competitions for High School Students in 2025–2026

Studies show that participating in art-based programs, such as creative writing competitions for high school students, boosts creativity, improves academic performance, and increases motivation to pursue higher education. These competitions also often offer scholarships, mentorships, and recognition that can make your college applications stand out—especially if you’re applying to top creative writing schools like the University of Iowa and Columbia University.

Let’s explore the top creative writing competitions for high school students in 2025–2026 to help you find the right fit for your interests and goals.

• What Are the Best Creative Competitions for High School Students?
• Scholastic Art & Writing Competition
• YoungArts Program
• The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose
• Bennington Young Writers Awards
• Polyphony Lit
• Davidson Fellows Scholarship
• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Achievement Awards
• Princeton University Writing Contests
• River of Words Poetry and Art Contest
• Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Creative Competitions for High School Students?

Creative writing competitions for high school students are a chance for you to grow your research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills while showing off your creativity. Here’s a quick look at ten leading competitions, showing each contest’s name, location, and main dates:

Let’s go over each competition one by one.

1. Scholastic Art & Writing Competition

• Dates: Fall (varies by region) to June
• Location: US and Canada​
• Prizes: Over $450,000 in scholarships and awards

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is the largest and most prestigious creative competition for students in grades 7–12 across the United States, U.S. territories, military bases, and Canada.

Participants submit works in 29 categories ranging from science fiction and critical essays to digital art and sculpture. Prizes total over $450,000, with top honors ranging from Gold Portfolio scholarships ($12,500) to Best-in-Grade awards ($500) and other cash prizes in specialized categories. Winners are offered opportunities to connect with mentors, attend prestigious national ceremonies, feature in exhibitions, and even join alumni networks and workshops.​

If you want step-by-step advice on how to submit a strong entry, check out our full guide to the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition.

2. YoungArts Program

• Dates: June to October 2026
• Location: Nationwide
• Prizes: Cash awards ($250–$10,000); finalists receive mentorship, networking, and may be nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

The YoungArts Program is a high-profile national competition in the United States designed for students in grades 10–12 or ages 15–18. Applicants can choose among ten disciplines: Classical Music, Dance, Design, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice, and Writing.​ Depending on your discipline, you’ll be asked for an audition, portfolio, or written work. All submissions are reviewed by expert panels in multi-stage rounds.

Selected winners receive cash prizes ranging from $250 to $10,000 and take part in intensive mentorship opportunities such as National YoungArts Week—a week-long, all-expenses-paid program in Miami featuring masterclasses and networking with accomplished artists.​ Prior National YoungArts Week attendees are not eligible for re-entry in any category.

Winners gain lifelong access to creative and professional development resources, join a network of YoungArts alumni, and become eligible for nomination to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program.

If you want practical tips on choosing a discipline, preparing a standout portfolio, and understanding how the writing category works, check out our YoungArts guide. It breaks down genres, requirements, and strategies so you can make the most of this opportunity as a high school creative writer.

3. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose

• Dates: Typically November to December
• Location: Online (International)
• Prizes: Two $200 prizes (one for poetry, one for prose), publication in The Adroit Journal, and copies of the judges’ latest books.​

Interested in The Adroit Prizes? You can submit work as an individual in poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction. Each student may submit up to five packets for poetry (up to six poems per packet) and five for prose (up to three works per packet), with specific length limits for each.​

Judges look for strong craft, originality, and voice. Finalists and winners are published in The Adroit Journal and invited into a network of young writers.

Anyone in high school or undergraduate college (with no age limit) can enter, including early graduates and international students.​

If you want a deeper breakdown of past winners, submission tips, and how this contest can fit into your overall creative writing competition strategy in high school, you can read our full guide to the Adroit Prizes.

4. Bennington Young Writers Awards

• Dates: September to November​
• Location: Online (International)
• Prizes: $2,000 (1st place), $1,000 (2nd), $500 (3rd), plus $250 for distinguished writers in each grade and category.

The Bennington Young Writers Awards is an international creative writing competition aimed at high school students in grades 9–12. The contest accepts original, polished work in poetry, fiction, and nonfiction.

Entries are submitted individually in one category: up to three poems, one short story (max 1,500 words), or one nonfiction essay (max 1,500 words). Each submission is judged by Bennington College faculty and writers.

Bennington College features the winners on its website and offers a supportive network of emerging writers. The program does not include formal mentorship, lab access, or conference opportunities. However, a major benefit of this competition is the strong university sponsorship. Winners and finalists who enroll at Bennington College are eligible for annual scholarships worth $25,000–$60,000 for up to four years, in addition to category cash prizes.

If you want more details on past winning pieces, submission tips, and how the scholarship side works, check out our full guide to the Bennington Young Writers Awards.

5. Polyphony Lit (Claudia Ann Seaman Award for Young Writers)

• Dates: Multiple contests run nearly all year
• Location: Online​ (International)
• Prizes: Winners receive publication, eligibility for Claudia Ann Seaman Awards, feedback from editors, and a scholarship to Polyphony Lit’s editorial course

Polyphony Lit is a global magazine and contest designed for high school students aged 14–18. Throughout the year, there are seasonal contests: Winter (Jan–Mar), Spring (Mar–Apr), Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage (May), Pride (June), Summer (July–Sept), Latin Heritage (Sept–Nov), and Fall (Oct–Dec).

Entries are submitted individually, and students can submit up to three pieces per contest in poetry (up to 80 lines), fiction, or creative nonfiction (up to 1,800 words).

Aside from getting published, finalists and winners also receive editorial feedback and earn eligibility for the Claudia Ann Seaman Awards, which include a $100 honorarium, certificate, and anthology. Winners also get a scholarship to Polyphony Lit’s online literary editing course, connecting them to other writers and future magazine editorial positions.

If you want help understanding contest themes, shaping a strong submission, or deciding whether Polyphony Lit fits your creative writing goals in high school, read our guide to Polyphony Lit.

6. Davidson Fellows Scholarship (Literature)

• Dates: November 1, 2025 – February 12, 2026
• Location: Nationwide
• Awards: $100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 in scholarship funding

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship (Literature) is a highly selective national award for exceptional young writers who have produced a substantial, original literary portfolio with intellectual or social significance.

Literature applicants must submit an individual 60–75 page portfolio featuring work from three literary genres: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or drama/screenplay. Winning projects often explore themes such as identity, history, memory, culture, or social justice and demonstrate advanced literary craft.

In addition to the portfolio, applicants submit a Literacy Narrative, Process Essay, a 10-minute unlisted YouTube video, and two nominator forms from adults familiar with their writing. All work must be original and created or substantially revised within the past three years. School assignments are not eligible.

Applicants must be 18 or younger, reside in the U.S. (or be dependents of active-duty military), and apply as individuals. Fewer than 20 Fellows are selected across all categories each year. Winners receive national recognition and are invited to an awards ceremony in Washington, DC, with travel expenses covered.

If you want a clearer sense of other categories, check out our full guide to the Davidson Fellows Scholarship.

7. National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Achievement Awards

• Dates: Fall to February 15, 2026 ​
• Location: Online (US, US territories, Canada, and American Schools Abroad)
• Prizes: Four levels of distinction: achievement certificate, featured publication, and recognition on the NCTE website.​

The NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing honor high school sophomores and juniors at accredited schools (US, Canada, American international schools) who show outstanding writing talent and originality.

Participants submit two works: one in response to the annual themed prompt and one portfolio piece showcasing their best writing. For 2026, the themed prompt is “The Joy and Power of Reading,” allowing students to reflect on how reading has impacted their lives, identities, and perspectives. Entries may take any form—prose, poetry, photo essays, screenplays, or mixed media.

Teachers nominate up to 16 students. While there are no cash scholarships, top writers earn national recognition and the potential for publication, often opening doors to future literary opportunities.

8. Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest

• Dates: January 12, 2026 – March 31, 2026 (or earlier if entry cap is reached)
• Location: Online (open to U.S. and international students)
• Prizes: $500 (First), $250 (Second), $100 (Third)

Princeton University’s Ten-Minute Play Contest is a competitive annual playwriting opportunity for 11th-grade students interested in dramatic writing. Sponsored by the Lewis Center for the Arts, the contest challenges students to craft an original play of no more than 10 pages, with one page equaling one minute of stage time.

The contest is highly selective, accepting a maximum of 250 submissions each year and often closing before the final deadline. Students may submit one play only, written in English, on any subject. Collaborative entries are allowed as long as all writers are eligible juniors, with prize money shared among co-authors.

Submissions are reviewed by a guest professional playwright, with past judges including Anya Pearson, Jiehae Park, and Dipika Guha. Winners are notified by email in June 2026 and later announced publicly on the contest website.

While the contest does not offer scholarships or participation certificates, it provides national recognition, professional evaluation, and a meaningful credential for students pursuing theater, creative writing, or the arts in college.

9. River of Words Poetry and Art Contest

• Dates: October 15, 2025 to January 31, 2026
• Location: Online (International)
• Prizes: Multiple awards by age/grade category, including Grand Prize, Runner-Up, and Second Runner-Up in both poetry and art; approximately 50 finalists per category get published; specialty awards with unique themes add to honors.

River of Words is targeted at young people ages 5 to 19 who have a passion for environmental themes, art, and poetry. The program encourages individual or collaborative entries that demonstrate a deep connection to local watersheds and environments through original creative expression.

Creative mediums include up to 32 lines of poetry and artwork in diverse media such as painting, photography, computer art, collage, and more. The emphasis lies in originality, vivid imagery, emotional impact, and the ability to communicate a profound sense of place or environmental experience. Winners gain publication, monetary prizes, and opportunities to be featured in exhibitions or educational events.

Students may participate through an educator, a guardian, or self-submission if of age, promoting engagement from Pre-K to 12th grade worldwide. Distinctively, artwork entries require mailed physical submissions with a confirmation form included, unlike most other contests.

10. Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest

• Dates: Deadline October 31, 2025
• Location: Online (United States)
• Prizes: $350 cash prize (1st place), publication, renewable scholarships up to $5,000 per year at Hollins University, and tuition/housing awards for the Hollinsummer Creative Writing Program

Sponsored by Hollins University, the Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest is a long-running, highly respected poetry competition for high school sophomore and junior girls who are U.S. citizens. The contest recognizes young poets who submit one or two original, unpublished poems that demonstrate strong voice, originality, and technical skill. Poems honored by schools but not published elsewhere are allowed.

Submissions are reviewed by Hollins University’s creative writing faculty and current M.F.A. students, with winners notified in March. Selected poets receive national recognition, including publication in Cargoes, Hollins’ award-winning student literary magazine. First-place winners may also earn a renewable Creative Talent Award of up to $5,000 per year (up to $20,000 total) and free tuition and housing for the Hollinsummer Creative Writing Program.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best creative writing competitions for high school students in 2025–2026?

Top creative writing competitions for high school students include the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition, YoungArts Program (writing category), Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose, Bennington Young Writers Awards, Polyphony Lit, Davidson Fellows Scholarship, NCTE Achievement Awards, Princeton Ten-Minute Play Contest, River of Words Poetry and Art Contest and Nancy Thorp Poetry Contest.

2. What do students win in creative competitions?

Prizes often include cash awards, scholarships, publication opportunities in literary journals or anthologies, editorial mentorship, certificates, and national recognition that strengthen college applications.

3. How can creative competitions strengthen a college application?

Creative writing competitions demonstrate strong writing skills, originality, and dedication. Winning or placing provides verified achievements and publication credits, making applications stand out with evidence of talent and commitment.

4. Which creative competitions are the hardest to win?

Davidson Fellows, YoungArts, Adroit Prizes, and Bennington Young Writers Awards are among the most competitive for young writers.

5. What are judges looking for in winning creative projects?

Judges seek originality, authentic voice, mastery of craft, emotional resonance, and well-structured storytelling or poetic expression with creative risks balanced by polish.

Takeaways

• Creative writing competitions help you develop your voice, sharpen your storytelling, and stand out with original, polished work that colleges value.
• Winning or placing in these contests brings cash prizes, scholarships, publication opportunities, mentorship, and national recognition that boost your academic profile.
• Prestigious contests like Scholastic Art & Writing, YoungArts, and Bennington Young Writers are highly competitive but open doors to creative communities and advanced opportunities.
• Participating shows your commitment, creativity, and intellectual curiosity—all qualities admissions officers seek in applicants.
• To improve your chances, research each competition’s guidelines carefully, start early, revise thoroughly, and seek feedback to submit your strongest work.
• Want to excel in top creative writing competitions for high school students? Our Writing Competitions Program can help you stand out.