Top 13 Writing Competitions for High School Students in 2025-2026

Entering writing competitions for high school students helps you learn how to communicate ideas clearly, follow detailed prompts, and write with purpose. These experiences help you grow as a storyteller, thinker, and problem-solver while building confidence in your voice. They can also showcase your strengths, build a solid portfolio, and strengthen your college applications.

In this blog, you’ll learn about the top writing competitions for high school students and what makes each one worth exploring. You’ll also learn what each competition offers so you can choose the ones that fit your interests and help you grow as a writer.

• What Are the Best Writing Competitions for High School Students?
• John Locke Essay Competition
• Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
• YoungArts Writing Competition
• The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose
• The New York Times Student Editorial Contest
• AFSA National High School Essay Contest
• Bennington Young Writers Awards
• The Emerson Prize (The Concord Review)
• Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Awards Programs
• NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing
• Goi Peace Foundation International Essay Contest for Young People
• JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest
• EngineerGirl Writing Contest
• Polyphony Lit
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Writing Competitions for High School Students?

Writing competitions push you to think deeply, research carefully, and write with purpose. You learn how to organize ideas, communicate clearly, and answer challenging questions or topics you might not normally write about. These skills help you in your classes now and prepare you for the types of writing you’ll do in college.

Many contests also offer scholarships, mentorship from professional writers, publication, or national recognition from universities that can strengthen your applications and help you stand out. Even if you don’t win, simply participating can help you build confidence and create strong pieces for your portfolio.

Below is a quick overview of the 13 leading writing competitions for high school students, including each contest’s name, location, and important dates.

Let’s discuss each competition one by one.

1. John Locke Essay Competition

• Dates: June 1 – June 30, 2025
• Location: Online
• Prizes: Scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for John Locke Institute summer or gap-year programs

The John Locke Essay Competition is run by the John Locke Institute, an academic organization that encourages students to think deeply about ideas in philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. Entry is free, and students 15 to 18 years old can participate, with a junior division available for writers 14 years old and below.

You choose one category, pick one of the three questions offered, and write an essay that shows clear thinking and strong reasoning. It’s a great option for students who want to explore complex topics and challenge themselves academically.

The contest helps you build skills in analysis, argumentation, and structured writing. Essays are reviewed by professors from top universities like Oxford and Princeton, giving you the chance to have your work evaluated by world-class academics. Winners earn scholarships to John Locke Institute programs, and finalists are invited to a ceremony in London.

If you want to learn more about this competition and how to prepare, check out our full guide to the John Locke Essay Competition.

2. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards

• Dates: Opens October 1, 2025. First regional deadline is December 1, 2025, but deadlines vary by region (some as late as January 6, 2026).
• Location: Online (Competition organized by region)
• Prizes: Regional awards (Honorable Mention, Silver Key, Gold Key), national medals, scholarships, and publication opportunities

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is one of the most respected programs for creative teens, with past winners including creative figures like Sylvia Plath, Andy Warhol, and Stephen King. Open to students in grades 7–12, it recognizes young artists and writers across 28 categories, including poetry, short stories, and journalism. You can submit multiple pieces with a minimal entry fee, with waivers available for anyone who needs financial support.

The competition begins at the regional level, where your work can earn an Honorable Mention, Silver Key, or the coveted Gold Key. Gold Key pieces advance to the national round, where professional artists and writers review the entries. Top national winners may receive scholarships, have their work published, or be featured in exhibitions.

The competition also offers special honors, including the American Voices & Visions Award, the New York Life Award, and the Flaunt It Award. These recognitions celebrate standout storytelling and offer additional scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,500 for high-achieving students.

This contest is a strong fit for students who want to grow their creative skills and gain recognition from respected professionals. If you want to learn more about how to prepare a strong submission, check out our blog on the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

3. YoungArts Writing Competition

• Dates: July 22 – October 8, 2025
• Location: Online (Finalists invited to week-long program in Miami, Florida)
• Prizes: Cash awards ranging from $250 to $10,000, medallions, and invitations to National YoungArts Week for winners with distinction

The YoungArts Writing Competition is part of the national YoungArts program, a highly selective initiative that supports young creatives across ten artistic disciplines, including writing, theater, visual arts, film, and music. 

You can submit work in one of five writing categories: fiction, nonfiction, play or script, poetry, or spoken word. To enter, you must be in grades 10–12 (or between 15 and 18 years old) and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible to receive taxable income in the country.

Winners with distinction receive an invitation to National YoungArts Week in Miami, a week-long program where finalists participate in masterclasses, attend workshops, and share their work through readings and performances. This experience gives you access to top-tier mentorship and connections with other young artists from across the country.

All YoungArts winners receive a cash award, a medallion, and access to YoungArts Post, a private online community for alumni. Finalists also join a lifelong network of creatives, educators, and mentors who can support their artistic development long after high school.

If you want to learn more about how to prepare a strong submission, check out our complete guide to the YoungArts Writing Competition.

4. The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose

• Dates: Early Spring 2026
• Location: Online
• Prizes: $200 for winners, publication in The Adroit Journal, and books from the judges for runners-up and finalists

The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose are presented by The Adroit Journal, a respected nonprofit literary magazine known for publishing emerging and established voices in poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and art. 

Open to all secondary and undergraduate students worldwide, the competition lets you submit up to five poems or up to three pieces of prose totaling no more than 3,500 words. There is a $15 submission fee, but students who need support can request financial assistance.

Each year, two students (one in poetry and one in prose) are selected for the top prizes. Winners receive $200, and their work is published in The Adroit Journal.

Runners-up and finalists are also recognized and receive copies of the judges’ latest books, giving them encouragement and insight from established writers. Publication in such a well-regarded journal can strengthen a college application and help young writers gain valuable exposure.

If you want to learn more about submitting a strong piece for one of the top writing competitions for high school students, check out our blog on The Adroit Prizes.

5. The New York Times Student Editorial Contest

• Dates: February 25 – April 8, 2026
• Location: Online
• Prizes: Winning letters are published on the New York Times Learning Network, with finalists and honorable mentions recognized publicly.

The New York Times Student Editorial Contest, officially rebranded by The New York Times Learning Network as “Open Letters: Our Opinion Writing Contest,” gives students a national platform to speak on issues that matter. 

Open to writers ages 13 to 19 worldwide, the contest asks you to write a persuasive open letter to a person or group with the power to make a change. Your argument must be supported by credible evidence, including at least one source from The New York Times and one from outside the Times.

This contest is ideal for students who want to practice opinion writing and engage with real-world topics. You have a 500-word limit, so your writing must be sharp, focused, and persuasive. Past winning letters have addressed topics like climate change, gender inequality, school policies, and local community concerns.

Winning entries are published on the Learning Network’s website, and finalists or honorable mentions are recognized publicly. This visibility can strengthen your writing portfolio and show colleges that you can communicate clearly about meaningful issues.

If you want practical tips and examples to help you craft a strong submission, take a look at our blog on the New York Times Student Editorial Contest.

6. AFSA National High School Essay Contest

• Dates: October 31, 2025 – March 1, 2026
• Location: Online
• Prizes: Cash awards from $1,250 to $2,500, an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., a Semester at Sea scholarship, and school recognition

The AFSA National High School Essay Contest, sponsored by the American Foreign Service Association (AFSA) in partnership with the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), invites students to explore the role of the U.S. Foreign Service in promoting peace, diplomacy, and international cooperation. 

Each year has a specific theme tied to a major moment in U.S. foreign policy. For 2025, the prompt looks at the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and asks students to examine how Foreign Service officers shaped U.S. diplomacy during that conflict.

This contest is a great choice if you are interested in international relations, political science, or global issues. A panel of AFSA and USIP representatives evaluates every submission for originality, depth of analysis, factual accuracy, and strong writing. To enter, you must be a high school student in grades 9 to 12 and cannot have a parent employed in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Winners receive significant rewards—including cash prizes, a fully funded trip to Washington, D.C., and a scholarship to participate in a Semester at Sea program. The runner-up earns scholarship support for the National Student Leadership Conference’s International Diplomacy program, and honorable mentions may be featured on AFSA’s website.

Read our blog on the AFSA National High School Essay Contest to explore detailed strategies for writing a strong submission.

7. Bennington Young Writers Awards

• Dates: September 1 – November 1, 2025
• Location: Online (Bennington College)
• Prizes: Cash awards from $250 to $1,000 and scholarships of up to $15,000 per year for four years at Bennington College

The Bennington Young Writers Awards is one of the most well-known writing competitions for high school students who want to grow as creative writers. Bennington College has a strong literary history—with alumni who have gone on to become Pulitzer Prize winners, U.S. Poet Laureates, and MacArthur fellows.

The competition is open to students in grades 9 to 12. You can submit one piece in poetry, fiction, or nonfiction—even those that you have previously entered elsewhere. Bennington publishes the top entries on its website in the spring, which can help your work reach teachers, admissions officers, and local media.

The awards are generous, with cash prizes and major scholarship opportunities for top writers. First place earns $1,000 and a renewable $15,000 per year scholarship to Bennington, and even honorable mentions receive substantial financial support.

If you want tips on writing a strong entry, take a look at our blog on the Bennington Young Writers Awards.

8. The Emerson Prize (The Concord Review)

• Dates: Four cycles: August 1 (Winter), November 1 (Spring), February 1 (Summer), May 1 (Fall)
• Location: Online
• Prizes: A $1,000 cash award and national recognition for outstanding historical research published in The Concord Review

The Emerson Prize is awarded to high school students whose research essays are published in The Concord Review, a highly respected journal dedicated to excellent student work in history. 

It highlights young writers who produce thoughtful, well-researched, and original historical scholarship. To qualify, you submit a sole-authored history essay of 4,000 to 6,000 words written in English. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis and are reviewed for one of the journal’s four seasonal issues.

This prize is ideal for students who enjoy deep research and want to develop strong academic writing skills. Each essay is evaluated for clarity, historical insight, and the quality of analysis. Being selected for publication is already an achievement, and Emerson Prize winners receive an additional $1,000 award that recognizes their exceptional work.

Published writers earn national visibility through The Concord Review, which can give college applications a meaningful boost. Students who earn the Emerson Prize demonstrate the ability to handle advanced research, make original arguments, and present history in a compelling way.

If you want tips on writing a strong research essay for this competition, read more in our complete guide to The Emerson Prize.

9. Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Awards Programs

• Dates: July 1 – September 15, 2025
• Location: Online (Columbia University)
• Prizes: Certificates for First, Second, and Third Place, Certificates of Merit, and national recognition for outstanding student journalism

The Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) Awards Programs celebrate excellence in student journalism through two major competitions: the Crown Awards and the Gold Circle Awards. Run by Columbia University’s Scholastic Press Association, the competition invites member publications to submit their best work across print, digital, and hybrid formats.

Each program offers a range of categories, giving you many ways to showcase your skills. Crown Award entries are evaluated as complete publications within their format, highlighting overall excellence in newspapers, magazines, and yearbooks.

Meanwhile, Gold Circle entries recognize standout work by individual student writers, editors, photographers, and designers. It focuses on specific pieces such as news articles, feature stories, photo spreads, digital designs, or multimedia work. Members can submit up to 30 entries for Gold Circle consideration, with additional submissions allowed for a small fee.

Earning recognition from CSPA is a meaningful achievement for any student journalist. Winners receive national exposure, certificates, and the chance to compare their work to high-quality publications from across the country. Many students use this experience to build stronger portfolios and stand out in college applications.

10. NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing

• Dates: November 20, 2025 – February 15, 2026
• Location: Online
• Prizes: Official NCTE certificates at four distinction levels and public recognition for First Class awardees on the NCTE website

The NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing, run by the National Council of Teachers of English, recognize high school sophomores and juniors who demonstrate strong, thoughtful, and engaging writing. Each year, students respond to a new prompt developed by the Achievement Awards Advisory Committee. For 2026, the theme is “The Joy and Power of Reading,” and students may submit up to ten pages of writing based on this prompt.

To enter, you must be nominated by an English teacher at your school. This ensures that nominees already show promise in their writing and can handle a more advanced, reflective assignment. The contest is open to accredited schools in the United States, U.S. territories, Canada, and American schools abroad. Entries are judged on clarity of ideas, effective language use, and the strength of the writer’s individual voice.

Students can earn recognition at four levels: Merit, Excellent, Superior, or First Class. Every nominee receives a certificate, and First Class honorees are listed on the NCTE website.

11. JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest

• Dates: September 1, 2025 – January 12, 2026
• Location: Online (Awards Ceremony in Boston)
• Prizes: Cash awards up to $10,000, a fully funded trip to Boston for the awards ceremony, and certificates for all participants

The JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest asks you to explore what political courage looks like in real life. Inspired by John F. Kennedy’s book Profiles in Courage, the contest challenges students to write about an elected U.S. official who took a principled stand on an important issue after 1917 (the year of Kennedy’s birth). 

Your essay must be your own work, fall between 700 and 1,000 words, and be supported by solid research. A teacher must also nominate and advise you as you develop your piece.

Like other writing competitions for high school students, this is open to grades 9 to 12, including U.S. citizens studying abroad. It’s ideal for those interested in government, leadership, or civic engagement. Essays are judged on how well you explain the official’s act of courage, the strength of your narrative, and the quality of your evidence. To keep topics original, you cannot write about the Kennedys or the senators featured in Profiles in Courage.

Winners earn generous cash prizes, with the top award offering $10,000 and a fully funded trip to Boston for the Profile in Courage Award ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Finalists and honorable mentions also receive meaningful recognition, and every participant receives a certificate for their work.

12. EngineerGirl Writing Contest

• Dates: October 10, 2025 – February 1, 2026
• Location: Online
• Prizes: Cash awards from $500 to $1,000, plus publication on the EngineerTeen website for winning entries

The EngineerGirl Writing Contest gives students a chance to see engineering in a new way by using creativity, storytelling, and problem-solving to explain how engineers make life better. Each year brings a new theme connected to real-world engineering challenges. For 2026, the contest partners with EngineerTeen and asks students to combine writing and visual elements to show how engineers help shape a better future.

Students in grades 3 to 12 can participate, and there are separate categories for elementary, middle, and high school. Homeschooled and international students join by choosing the grade level that fits their U.S. equivalent. Entries are judged on clarity, creativity, and how well students connect engineering themes to the prompt. The contest is designed to welcome students from all backgrounds—even those who are new to engineering.

Cash prizes range from $500 to $1,000, and all winning entries are published on the EngineerTeen website, giving students a real audience for their work. Honorable mentions may also be featured online and sometimes receive small prizes or EngineerGirl swag.

This contest is ideal for students who enjoy blending technical ideas with artistic expression and want to share a fresh perspective on engineering.

13. ​​Polyphony Lit

• Dates: July 2025 – June 2026
• Location: Online
• Prizes: Publication in Polyphony Lit, eligibility for the Claudia Ann Seaman Awards, editorial feedback for winners, and a full scholarship to the “How to Be a Literary Editor” course

Polyphony Lit is a global literary magazine created and run by high school students, giving young writers a space to be heard. If you enjoy poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction, this is a place where your work can reach an international audience.

Students aged 14 to 18 from any country can submit their writing, as long as the work is original and unpublished. The magazine’s peer-editing model also means your piece receives thoughtful, line-by-line feedback from other students who care deeply about writing.

Instead of one submission window, Polyphony Lit now hosts seasonal contests throughout the year, including themes such as Latin Heritage, Black History, Asian and Pacific Islander, Pride, Summer, Fall, and Winter. Each contest has its own deadline, giving students multiple opportunities to submit work that fits a theme or season. This structure enables writers to develop their skills throughout the year and receive feedback on a range of submissions.

Winners are published in Polyphony Lit and considered for the Claudia Ann Seaman Awards, a major honor within the magazine. Each winner also receives editorial feedback from the contest judge and a full scholarship to the “How to Be a Literary Editor” course, which can lead to joining the magazine’s editorial team.

This contest is an excellent opportunity for students who want a supportive community, meaningful feedback, and the chance to grow as both writers and editors. To learn more, check out our guide on Polyphony Lit.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can entering writing competitions really help with college applications?

Yes. Writing competitions demonstrate initiative, creativity, and strong communication skills, which colleges value. Winning or earning recognition can also strengthen your portfolio and help you stand out in a competitive applicant pool.

2. Do I need to be an experienced writer to join these contests?

Not necessarily. Many writing competitions for high school students welcome beginners and focus on your ideas, voice, and creativity more than professional-level polish. You should still aim to submit clear, thoughtful writing, but you don’t need years of experience to participate. These contests are designed to help you grow, so you can treat them as learning opportunities.

3. Are international students allowed to participate?

Many contests in this list accept submissions from students around the world, but eligibility varies. Always check each competition’s rules to make sure international entries are allowed before submitting your work.

4. Can I submit the same piece to multiple writing competitions?

In many cases, yes, as long as the work is original and unpublished. However, some contests require exclusive submissions, so make sure to read the guidelines carefully.

5. What type of writing should I submit?

It depends on the contest. Some focus on poetry or fiction, while others require essays, journalism, or creative nonfiction. Choose the competition that matches your strengths or encourages you to explore a new form of writing.

Takeaways

• Writing competitions help you build stronger writing skills, gain confidence, and create work you can use in your portfolio or college applications.
• Top options like the John Locke Essay Competition, Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and YoungArts Writing Competition are some of the best writing competitions for high school students and give you meaningful opportunities to showcase your talent.
• Choosing the right contests and submitting your best work can help you earn recognition, scholarships, and experiences that support your academic and creative growth.
• If you need help navigating these contests or preparing strong entries, consider working with a college admissions consultant for personalized guidance and support.