Updated October 2024
Academic competitions play an important part in learning for highly gifted students. They are designed to inspire and enlighten, and can create enthusiasm and entice students to try their hardest, helping to maximize their abilities. Some require students to work on their own or as part of a team; some involve answering rapid-fire questions in front of an audience. Throughout the pandemic, many competitions have gone online for the first time, while others have always been online. Most importantly, academic competitions are a fun way to teach gifted students how to handle the pressures of real-life challenges.
Below are some of our community’s favorite academic competitions. If you know of a great one to add to our list, please contact us at info@davidsongifted.org.
Multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary
- Grades: Pre-K; K-12; university
- Team
- Homeschool Students: Yes, they can participate in teams. You can start your own team or find an existing team near you.
MIT Inspire: High School Research Competition in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- Grades: 9-12 (Students must be under the age of 19)
- Individual or Teams of up to 2 students
- Open to Homeschool Students: You MUST be enrolled into an accredited high school program or be a student of home or private education and working towards a G.E.D. (high school diploma)
- Ages: Applicants must be 18 or younger as of the application deadline to be eligible
- Individual or Teams of no more than two are allowed
- Open to Homeschool Students: See the full list of information on How to Apply for the Davidson Fellows Scholarship
- Grades: 9-12
- Teams or Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Home-schooled students can participate in the United States Academic Decathlon® if their school district allows home-schooled students to participate in other extracurricular activities. Home-schooled students can only participate in the United States Academic Decathlon program at the high school they would attend if they were not home-schooled.
- Grades: 6-8
- Teams or Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Home-schooled students can participate in the United States Academic Pentathlon® if their school district allows home-schooled students to participate in other extracurricular activities.
- Grades: 5-8
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Programs are almost exclusively run through school districts, although certain other groups, such as after-school programs, magnet programs, and parent groups, can sponsor teams.
Academic WorldQuest National Competition
- Grades: High School students
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Local Academic WorldQuest competitions take place all across the United States, held by participating Councils. See who, when and where these competitions are held below! You can contact WorldQuest here to inquire about eligibility.
Future Problem Solving Program
- Grades: 4-12
- Individual or Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: FPS can be incorporated into classroom curriculum, after school programs, or separate from any school affiliation.
- Grades: K-12 and Collegiate
- Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students are welcome to participate through home schools, public and private schools, and through community groups such as a church, Rotary, etc. Learn more about memberships by reviewing the Program Guide.
National Academic Quiz Tournament (NAQT)
- Grades: Middle School to College
- Teams or Individual
- Open to homeschool collectives with students of an appropriate See Section G of eligibility rules for further information.
- Grades: 6-12
- Individual or Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can submit their entries
- Ages: 11-18
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students need an adult or educator to register and facilitate the course for them. Students may NOT register on their own.
- Grades: 5-12
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Not open to homeschooled students as teams are organized by school
National Academic Championship – Questions Unlimited
- Grades: Elementary to High School
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Teams must be made up of students from the same school and have a team Coach.
- Grades: 5-12
- Teams
Homeschool Students: Yes. The NAL competition is structured much like a basketball game, so to participate you need two teams of 15 to 40 students each.
National Personal Finance Challenge
- Grades: 9-12
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Home-based high school students may join teams of any public school, private school, community organization or club, or afterschool Or, may start a team with other home-based high school students in their county.
Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics
- Grades: 9-12, Students of African descent
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Must be of African Descent and a S citizens. Participants in the annual national ACT-SO competition are chosen from the local competitions.
- Grades: K-12
- Individual or Teams via class group submissions
- Homeschool Students: Not eligible since the competition is organized around educators submitting for their classes.
Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Contest
- Ages: 11-14, 15-18
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Enter your division based on your age at the time of
- Grades: Must be a current 7th grade student or plan to graduate from high school five years from the application year (e.g., if applying in 2024, graduating in 2029).
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who plan to attend a high school program based in the U.S. can participate
Quest for Excellence Humanities Award
- Grades: High School Juniors
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Must be in the equivalent grade level and qualify for the QuestBridge College Prep Scholar
- Grades: 6-8
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Unfortunately, students are not able to enter directly. You can participate in a Science Affiliated Fair Go to Find a Society Affiliated Fair to find the affiliated fair in your area.
- Grade: 11 (High School Junior)
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Applicants must intend to enroll full-time at an accredited S. college or university as an undergraduate for the first time in fall following their high school graduation. That is to say, students in their junior year of high school, or the equivalent if home schooled, are eligible to apply. (Students who are currently high school juniors but take some courses at a local college are indeed eligible to apply for the Coolidge Scholarship.)
Hispanic Heritage Foundation Youth Awards
- Grades: 12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: As long as you are following an accredited home-schooling program or would be eligible to apply to an institution of higher learning for upcoming fall semester next year then you still qualify.
- Grades: 6-8, 9-12
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Students can compete through schools or See more information about competing here.
Humane Education Network: A Voice for Animals
- Ages: The competition has sections for 14-15 year old students and sections for 16-18 year old students. Applicant must be younger than 19 on the date the contest opens for entries.
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to enter the
Scholastic Arts & Writing Awards
- Ages: Grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) can apply in 28 categories of art and writing,
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can create an account and select the category that best represents their work.
Arts
General/Multidisciplinary in the Arts
- Ages: 8-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: We invite schools, after-school programs, art studios, and the homeschooled to participate.
Quick and Scroll ContestQuill and Scroll Contests and Critiques
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Must meet the equivalent grade level requirement. Can contact Quill and Scroll for further information on how to participate.
Junior High/Middle School National Media Contest
- Grades: Middle school – Junior high
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Not open to homeschool Content must have been published in a school publication during the current contest year’s academic school year or must be set to be published in the yearbook that covers that contest year’s academic school year.
National PTA Reflections Awards
- Grades: Pre-K through 12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students may locate their local PTA and inquire about
- Ages: 5 to 19
- Individual or Teams but the student representative receives the winning prize, if applicable
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students may enter on their own, or through their school, or youth All entries must be submitted by a parent, guardian, educator, or facilitator unless the student is 18 years or older.
Young Arts: National Arts Competition
- Ages: 15- to 18-year-old, or, grades 10–12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Any artist that meets the age requirements is welcome to apply. Applicants must be either a United States citizen, a permanent resident or be legally able to receive taxable income in the U.S. (documentation is required to submit your application).
New York Times: Vocabulary Video Contest
- Ages: Students ages 11 to 19 who attend middle or high school
- Individual or Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can submit their entries independently
New York Times: Student Podcast Contest
- Ages: Students ages 11 to 19 who attend middle or high school
- Individual or Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can submit their entries independently
New York Times: Summer Reading Contest
- Ages: Students ages 11 to 19 who attend middle or high school
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can submit their entries independently
National High School Design Competition
- Ages: 13-19; Grades: 9-12
- Individual or Teams of 3
- Open to Homeschool Students: Homeschool students residing within the U.S. at the time you submit an entry, who are working toward the completion of a high school degree and who have finished middle school level coursework are eligible.
- Grades: Open to all students with a 0 GPA and higher that know how to knit, crochet, and/or weave while attending an approved accredited institution of higher education during the current academic school year.
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to
- Grades: High school juniors and seniors between the ages of 14 and 20 who will complete graduation requirements by or before July 31, 2022 or 2023, and undergraduate college students between the ages of 15 and 25.
- Individual or Teams of 4
- Open to Homeschool Students: To enter any contest, you must be a high school junior or senior (or the equivalent) between the ages of 14 and 20; or a full-time undergraduate college student between the ages of 15 and 25. If you are under 18, your parent or legal guardian must sign an eligibility form.
The Bridges Collaborative Student Contest
- Grades: K-12
- Individual or Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: All students entering the contest must be enrolled in a S. based school (including homeschool)
Digital Arts
NCTE: Recognizing Excellence in Art and Literary Magazines
- Grades: Middle and Secondary schools, Colleges and Universities
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Students can join with a registered school in their local school district as submissions are done by school, instead of individually.
- Grades: K-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Parents or teachers can mail us the completed entry form or submit it online as a .png, or .jpg.
Visual Arts
- Grades: 9-12. Members may choose whether to include 7th and 8th grade students in the art competition if schools located in their districts house 7th through 12th grades on one
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Contact your representative to confirm your district’s participation and obtain specific guidance for how to apply.
- Grades: Graphic arts students at any educational level including those in university, college, community-college, post-secondary technical school, high school vocational, high school technology education, and junior high/middle school technology education programs.
- Individual or Team
- Homeschool Students: Not open to Homeschool Submissions are made on behalf of students by a classroom instructor who is a GCEA member
Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest
- Grades: 6-8
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: When school systems are participating in the contest, students will enter through their school If they are not participating, students may enter directly to the chapter, through scouting or the CAR (Children of the American Revolution).
- Grades: K-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: See the Junior Duck Stamp Homeschool Education Guide for details on how to participate.
Music
The ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Awards
- An entrant must be, at the time of entry, at least 13 years of age, or under the age of 30 by the application date.
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: An entrant must be, at the time of entry, (a) at least 13 years of age; and (b) a S. citizen, permanent resident or enrolled student with a valid and current U.S. student visa.
The BMI Student Composer Awards
- Ages: 27 or younger as of the submission deadline
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Entrants must currently study music, either in an educational institution or privately
Musical Theatre Songwriting Challenge
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual and duos are accepted, but both members of the team must meet the age and schooling requirements.
- Homeschool Students: Students are in the equivalent grade levels (9-12) are eligible to
- Grades: High School Junior or Senior
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students must be in the equivalent grade levels of high school juniors or seniors to enter
Music Teachers National Association Competitions
- Ages: 5-26
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Must study with a teacher who is a member of the MTNA or pay the Nonmember teacher fee of $150
- Grades: 12 and College Freshman
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Those who meet the eligibility criteria are welcome to
NAfME Student Composers Competition
- Grades: K-Collegiate
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: K-12 applicants must have a faculty sponsor who is a NAfME member
NAfME Electronic Music Composition Competition
- Grades: K-Collegiate
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Each entrant must be sponsored by a NAfME member teacher
NAfME Student Songwriters Competition
- Grades: K-Collegiate
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Each entrant must be sponsored by a NAfME member teacher, or be a NAfME Collegiate member in good standing
NAfME All-National Honor Ensembles
- Grades 9, 10, or 11
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Each entrant must be sponsored by a NAfME member teacher or be a NAfME Collegiate member in good standing.
American Protege Music Competitions
- Ages: 5-18+
- Individual or Teams (Ensemble members)
- Open to Homeschool Students
National Federation of Music Clubs Competitions
- Age and grade restrictions change depending on the competition and role the competitor plays (ex. Vocalist versus instrumentalist)
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students who meet the requirements listed in the specific competition/award are eligible to compete.
Theater
National High School Musical Theater Awards
- Ages: High School Students (in order to be a Nominee at the Jimmy Awards, students must first win their Regional Awards Program competition.)
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: You can contact the Regional Awards Program closest to you for more information about how to join as students are nominated based off their participation in their high school theatre Participating Awards Programs are required to be sponsored by a member of The Broadway League. Each Participating Awards Program nominates two student representatives to compete at the “Nationals” in New York.
Community Service
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
- Ages: 8-18
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students will follow the same process of application as other
HOBY Youth Leadership: Community Leadership Workshop
- Grades: 9
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: High school freshmen are usually recommended by their school counseling office or administration. Typically, a local service organization such as Rotary, Kiwanis, or Lions Club will sponsor a CLeW. Exceptions can be made for sophomores to attend and for groups such as a new ASB leadership team, high school club, athletic team, or others to participate as an introduction to youth leadership.
- Bronze: Grades 4-5. Silver: Grades 6-8. Gold: Grades 9-
- Individual (for Silver and Gold) or Team (for Bronze and Silver)
- Homeschool Students: Homeschool students can form Contact your local Girl Scout Council to see if there is already an established homeschool troop.
- Grades K-5 and Ages 11-20 have different programs available to join
- Individual or Team
- Homeschool Students: Homeschool students can find a unit near them to join.
- Grades: 4-11
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: At this time, our school nomination procedures do not allow homeschool parents or tutors to request applications unless all qualifying conditions as outlined in the Goals of the Carson Scholars Program are met.
NJCL Community Service Competition
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual or Teams (Group or Chapter Entry)
- Homeschool Students: Students must be members of a chapter, or a member at large, to participate in everything NJCL has to offer, including membership in the Honor Society, attendance at NJCL Convention, or eligibility to apply for a scholarship, just to name a few of the benefits. In the event there is no NJCL Chapter, an individual member may become a member- at-large. NOTE: If there is a chapter at the student’s school, the student must join that chapter. Both options must also join the State JCL to be in good standing.
President’s Volunteer Service Award
- Ages: Applicants must be 5 years old or older
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for the
History & Social Sciences
Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: The Joseph S. Rumbaugh Historical Oration Contest is open to all students attending 9th through 12th grades in public, parochial or private schools; or home- school students studying at the same grade levels. Students will follow the same process of applying as other applicants.
National Genealogical Society Rubincam Youth Award
- Grades: 6-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students must be in grades equivalent to grades 6-12 at the time of submission. You will follow the same procedures of applying as other applicants.
The National History Bee and Bowl
- Grades: Elementary to High School level
- Bee is Individual; Bowl is Team event
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students do not have to be affiliated with a school in order to participate in any of our Pseudonyms are allowed in place of school names in such cases, although we will still need to know which school a student attends.
- Grades: 6-12
- Individual and Team
- Homeschool Students: Find your local affiliate for details on the contest structure in your
Sons of the American Revolution (SAR): Elementary School Poster Contest
- Grades: 3- 5
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Participants from other organizations must be of equivalent age for 3rd, 4th, or 5th grades, whichever year that American History is taught in the specific school
- Grades: 9-12
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Students must be enrolled for credit in a qualifying public high school, private high school, or home-based high school course (see A.1.b and A.1.c.) at some time during the current academic year. Homeschool students must compete in the Adam Smith Division
- Grades 4-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool students: Students are eligible to participate.
The United States Senate Youth Program
- Grades: High School Juniors and Seniors in DC school
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Rising high school juniors and seniors may obtain a USSYP application through their high school principals, school counselors and social studies teachers OR they may inquire directly to their state selection contacts using this website.
Games & Video Games
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students will follow the rules listed in order to enter the contest.
- Ages: Mibsters aged 7-14 who have won a local championship
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: To be eligible for the National Tournament, the boy and girl shall be the local champions, representing a City, County, or State. If you are interested in participating in the tournament we have included an area for registration to make it easier for you! In order to access registration, you will need to be approved by one of our board Fill out the sign- up form and we will get back to you shortly
- Ages: 5-12, 13-18
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Participation in Imagine Cup Junior for students is via a Team Leader (such as an educator, instructor, staff member, parent, guardian) over the age of 18. Team Leaders register on behalf of students and gain access to the Imagine Cup Junior Resource Pack outlined below to facilitate learning and the challenge.
US Chess Federation: National Chess Competitions
- Grades: K-12
- Individual or Teams
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to Local clubs are a great way for new players to discover the joys of over the board chess and meet other chess players. Find one using our club directory.
- Ages: Youth aged 17 years or younger will be permitted to attend and take part in the Congress only if attending with either a Legal Guardian (parent or otherwise), or another adult acting as the Attending Guardian.
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: No school affiliation
Games for Change Student Challenge
- Grades: 5-12
- Game entries: Individual or Teams of 2-4. Writing and Character art entries: Individual
- Homeschool Students: Any middle or high school aged student in the U.S can enter the competition. If the student is under the age of 18, they must have parent/guardian consent to enter or an adult must submit an entry on the student’s behalf is they’re under 13.
- No age or grade restrictions
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students can independently submit their entries using the Online Entry
Languages & Classics
National French Contest, Le Grand Concours
- Grades: 1-12; Grades 1-6 participate in the FLES Grades 7-12 in the Secondary Contest.
- Individual
- Open to home school students: Parents or private tutors can request information on participation from the nearest Chapter Administrator or contact the National Chair, Eligibility.
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: When registering, select “no association” for school
- Grades: 6-8, 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Eligible for participation in a select few of the You can contact Greek Exam Chair Michael Cowett at Cowett at greekexam@aclclassics.org for further questions.
AATI National Italian Examination
- Grades: 7-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Must be nominated by teachers that are a member of the National
- Grades: 9-12
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: You can reach out to: japanbowl@jaswdc.org to inquire about participating schools in their district and how they can join a team.
- No grade or age Which exam a student is eligible to take is determined by how long they have studied the language; see the Exam Levels and Categories for more information.
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Homeschool students are eligible to take the exam; see the website’s FAQs for more information
- Grades: 2-12
- Team
- Homeschool Students: Typically not open to Homeschoolers since the competition scoring is based off school participation. You can reach out to: hello@cmleague.com to inquire about participating schools in their district and how to join a team.
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: The National Latin Exam welcomes the participation of homeschooled students. Homeschool teachers should follow the standard registration process. Complete the online registration form through Lingco and submit your payment to NLE. Parents who serve as the Latin teacher are allowed to administer the exam to their homeschooled student. However, the Latin teacher cannot be the person who receives the exams and secures them until exam day, so you must designate someone other than the Latin teacher for this task. Homeschoolers with further questions should contact the NLE office at nle@umw.edu.
National Spanish Exam and National Portuguese Exam
- Grades: 6-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students who study with a teacher can have their exam proctored by the teacher. Students who work with only a parent at home will need to find a school that gives the exam or work directly with NSE
- Grades: 6-8, 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: May participate with the approval of the state or regional If the student is otherwise eligible, a teacher, tutor, or other adult may sponsor the student. The sponsor must become a Regular Member of ACTR, pay the appropriate dues in the Pre-College Teachers category, and chaperone the student at the Olympiada.
Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee
- Grades: K-8
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students
-
- Grades: 3-8
- Individual and Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: You can enroll your homeschooled children the same way public and private schools sign up, using the Non-School Enrollment Form. Choose the grade and difficulty level most appropriate for your student(s). If your “team” is simply an individual child or just a few children, your scores will be recorded and included in recognition of individual performance (when appropriate) rather than the team competition, since team scores are based on a compilation of 10 individual scores.
North American Computational Linguistics Open Competition
- Grades: High School Students; Ages: No older than 20
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: According to the official rules of your state or province, you can register for Homeschool teachers should follow the same directions for High School teachers to register but should select “home school” from the drop down menu as the school option. When your parent has also registered as a host, you will be able to register to participate in NACLO by selecting that homeschool site.
National Classical Etymology Exam
- Grades: This exam is generally meant for grades 6-12, but students of any grade level are allowed to participate.
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Any school, chapter, or organization may participate regardless of whether they are members. Anyone registering a student to participate in the exam, or registering to proctor an exam, must be over 21 years old.
Math
Advantage Testing Foundation Math Prize for Girls
- Grades: 11 and under and be female in gender identity
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Be in 11th grade or below as of February in the year of they are applying (and not be slated to graduate from high school or to start full-time college before the contest) and have taken one of the AMC 10/12 exams at an official center.
American Mathematics Competitions (AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, AIME, USAMO) Grades:
- To participate in the AMC 8, a student must be in grade 8 or below and also under 14.5 years of age on the day of the competition.
- To participate in the AMC 10 a student must be in grade 10 or below and under 5 years of age on the day of the competition.
- To participate in the AMC 12 a student must be in grade 12 or below and under 5 years of age on the day of the competition.
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students must be enrolled at a S School full-time.
Continental Mathematics League
- Grades: 2-9
- Individual or Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: Home school students can register with their email address and create an account. After registering, email hello@cmleague.com so they can designate your account to receive the special pricing.
Harvard-MIT Math Tournament (HMMT)
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual and Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can form a team and register their organization or compete as an individual. If your application as an individual competitor is accepted, you will be assigned to a team with other individual competitors for the team rounds during the tournament.
- Grades: 4-12
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students
Caribou Mathematics Competition
- This worldwide online contest is held six times throughout the school year. On each of the contest days, five contests are offered, one for each of the grade levels 3 through 4 (free); 5 and 6; 7 and 8; 9 and 10; and 11 and 12. Grades 5 through 12 are $12 per student per year. Each student’s ranking in the Caribou Cup is determined by their performance in their best five of six contests through the school year. All previous contests are available for free online as practice tests.
Math Olympiads for Elementary & Middle School (MOEMS)
- Grades: 4-8
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Participation is open to all schools (public, private, and parochial, home schools, institutes, and individuals (with restrictions). Please contact us if you are an individual wanting to register for the contests.
- Grades: 3-12
- Individual and teams
- Homeschool Students: In order to participate in any of our contests, we need to know what school you attend. Before registering to take a test, please make sure that your school has a membership for this school year. A membership is basically just a way for us to have some information about your school and to make sure we have an adult contact to serve as the sponsor for participating students from your school. This adult sponsor can be a teacher at the school or a Go to https://mathleague.org/membership.php where you can see whether your school is already a member and have your sponsor fill out the membership form if your school is not a member. This form only needs to be filled out once per year for each school.
- Grades: 6-8
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to register for the Competition Series and as a Non- school competitor (NSCs). Refer to the Official Rules + Procedures for the Competition Series for complete details regarding NSCs, virtual schools and home schools.
MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge (M3 Challenge)
- Ages: 16-19
- Teams of 3-5 students
- Open to Homeschool students: REGISTER YOUR TEAM here to get started.
- Grades: 2-8
- Individual and Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: You may register your student as an ‘individual’ participant. On the NLMC registration page, make sure you choose the registration type ‘Individual’. Note: the testing window and rules for the individual are slightly different from those hosted in schools. Check the details here.
USA Mathematical Talent Search (USAMTS)
- Grades: Middle and High School students
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students will follow the rules laid out on the website to
Pi Math Contest (PiMC)
- Grades: Elementary to High School
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: You don’t have to register through your school/test PiMC is offered to individuals. Parents/guardians of students may/should register to the contest from the home page. You may fill in your child’s school’s name when registering (Please note: We do not communicate this information to the school).
High School Mathematical Contest in Modeling (HiMCM)
- Grades: High School Level
- Teams (up to 4)
- Homeschool Students: Not open to Homeschoolers as teams must register by
Middle Mathematical Contest in Modeling (MidMCM)
- Grades: Middle School Level
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Not open to homeschoolers as teams must register by school
- Grades: 3-8
- Individual and Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Homeschool organizations and after school clubs are welcome to join the competition. Any student may participate individually for a $25 fee.
- Grades: 4-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Parents/guardians may also register their students as individual participants. Using the same link: https://www.mathcon.org/registration/ click Sign Up! Registration for individuals is just $30 for one child/student. You may fill in your child’s school’s name when registering (Please note: We do not communicate this information to the school).
- Grades: 9-12 taking high-level math classes
- Individual or Teams up to 5
- Open to Homeschool Students: Homeschool teams must have an official adult “coach” who is 18+.
- Grades: 6-9
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: You may register as an individual competitor, separate from a school when filling out the application.
Science
General/Multidisciplinary in the Sciences
AAN Neuroscience Research Prize
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students must be in the equivalent of high school grades 9-12. A confirmation statement from your parent/guardian, teacher, and mentor are required and will be needed to complete your application.
Rising Scientist Award for High School Students
- Grades: High School Seniors
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Must be recommended by faculty members or school administrators may submit a nomination. Contact your school district to confirm your district’s participation and obtain specific guidance for how to apply.
TEAMS (Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science)
- Grades: Middle school and high school students
- Teams of 2-4
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students from homeschools must select the “Home” If a student participates as part of a group or homeschool, he/she may not also participate with a school.
Exploravision Science Competition
- Grades: K-12
- Teams of 2-4
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students must still form teams of 2-4 and have a designated adult teacher/coach/mentor.
- Ages: 4-16
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Find a FIRST contact near you, click To get started on participating in events near you.
- Grades: Full-time High School Students 9-12
- Individual or Teams of 2
- Open to Homeschool Students: You must be a full-time high school student (i.e. attending a public, private, or home school) at the time of your application.
Technology Student Association Middle School Competitions
- Grades: 6-8
- Individual and Team
- Home-schooled students may join a TSA chapter in their community with the approval of the school’s administration
Technology Student Association High School Competition
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual and Team
- Home-schooled students may join a TSA chapter in their community with the approval of the school’s administration.
- Grades: 5-8
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: The competition is open to all legal S. residents who are students enrolled at a public, private, parochial, or home school located in one of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia.
- Grades: 6-9
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students may form teams and compete with fellow homeschooled or public school-attending You will still need someone who is a teacher, coach, counselor, leader in a youth organization, or parent who is at least 21 years of age and has access to the Internet, as well as an active email address; in order to communicate with eCYMBERMISSION Mission Control.
U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad
- Grades: 9-12th grade students who will graduate no earlier than the first of May of the year in which they participate in the competition are eligible.
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students can reach out to their ACS Local Section Coordinator as Coordinators choose nominees for the National Exam (Email USNCO@acs.org for information on how to participate or find your coordinator here.
Regeneron Science Talent Search
- Grades: High School Seniors
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Homeschooled students should contact the Society to have their school added to the high school lookup function, just as other new schools are added. They will also need to provide a document indicating what courses they have completed and their success in those courses and submit that as a school Homeschool programs are not eligible to receive school awards but may designate a non-profit or local school district to receive the award funds. They must also meet the other requirements listed under eligibility in order to apply for the Science Talent Search.
- A highly publicized academic competition among teams of high school students who answer questions on scientific topics in astronomy, biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, earth, computer and general science. The competition consists of a round robin followed by a double elimination final.
- The Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers.
- Every April, approximately 10,000 students take a 40-question, 45-minute timed, multiple-choice test under their school’s supervision.
- This robotics competition allows students in high school through college work in teams at the local, regional, and then international level to build autonomous robots that complete a series of challenges.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Antibody Scholarship Program
- This scholarship was created to help provide educational opportunities for the future generation of scientists. A pre-selected committee will award two $10,000 scholarships and four $5,000 scholarships among the candidates.
- Grades: K-12
- Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students may participate through their local public school in the state in which you (the homeschooled student) resides OR for a homeschool Participation through a homeschool team will only recognize students who live within the boundaries of two contiguous geographic counties in a single state.
- Grades: 5-8
- Teams of 3-4
- Open to Homeschool Students: Homeschool Students can participate through their homeschool association, with a parent/guardian serving as the Team Coordinator.
- Grades: 9-12, Collegiate
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: The Brain Awareness Video Contest is open to all Society for Neuroscience Non-members are eligible if entries are sponsored and submitted by an SfN member. Find an SfN member near you with the Find a Neuroscientist database.
- Ages: 13-18
- Teams of 2-5
- Open to Homeschool Students: Homeschool students may find a partner or form their own team to compete.
- Ages: 13 to 19
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: The first step in the IBBWC competition is to contact your Local Chapter Brain Bee Coordinator and enter your local (A list of local coordinators can be found here.)
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual or Team
- Homeschool Students: Students in attendance are nominated through their submission and presentation or original scientific research papers in regional symposiums held at universities
Washington University in St. Louis: Chemistry Tournament
- Grades: 9-12
- Teams and Individual Rounds
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can enter as a non-traditional However, be aware that Traditional teams are prioritized in the registration and waitlist process.
- Grades: High School Level
- Teams of 4-5
- Open to Homeschool Students: Teams may be formed through school, student support organizations, or All students must be currently enrolled in high school. Check out our competition map and find the region closest to you. Contact the coordinator for that region to see if they have an opening for a new team and details on the local competition.
- Grades: 5-8 (female identifying applicants only)
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: The letter of nomination can come from a teacher, parent, school administrator, or community leader.
- Grades: High School level
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Home-schooled students are invited to participate in the USABO. Arrangements must be made before the close of registration through the USABO to participate in the exam at high schools within their local area. Home-schooled students may be responsible for the $95.00 registration fee.
American Society of Human Genetics DNA Day Essay Contest
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Parents may submit essays for homeschooled students.
Environmental Science
- Ages: 8-19
- Teams of 3-4 senior 4-H members or FFA contestants
- Open to Homeschool Students: Only one 4-H team per state and one FFA team per state may attend. Register online at whep.org by completing the appropriate forms
- Ages: 13 to 22
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Any student who meets the qualifications can
- Grades: 9-12 or ages 14-19
- Teams of 5
- Open to Homeschool Students: Non-traditional schools and youth organizations must follow the grade level and age limitations as set above.
National Junior Horticultural Association Environmental Awareness: Demonstration Contest
- Ages: 5-22 years old
- Individual or Teams of 2
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who meet the qualifications can
- Ages: 8-22 years old
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who meet the qualifications can For additional information, consult the project chair: Susan Beebe, skb11@cornell.edu.
Senior Horticulture Identification and Judging Contest
- Ages: 15-22
- Individual or Teams of 3 or 4
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students may enter the category that best fits their age group and whether they’d like to enter as an individual or team, independently or as a 4H or FFA team affiliated team.
Junior Horticulture Identification and Judging Contest
- Ages: 15-22
- Individual or Teams of 3 or 4
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students may enter the category that best fits their age group and whether they’d like to enter as an individual or team, independently or as a 4H or FFA team affiliated team.
- Ages: 5-22
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who meet the qualifications can apply.
Speaking of Horticulture Contest
- Ages: 5-22
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who meet the qualifications can apply.
- Ages: 5-22
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who meet the qualifications can apply.
Promotion of Horticulture Contest
- Ages: 5-22
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who meet the qualifications can For additional information, consult the project chair: Michael Bomberger, m.bomberger@njha.org.
Science and Horticulture Contest
- Ages: 15-18 and 19-22 years old
- Individual or Teams of 2 or more
- Open to Homeschool Students: Student who meet the qualifications can For additional information, consult the project chair: Michael Rethwisch, mdrethwisch@ucanr.edu.
Writing in Horticulture Contest
- Ages: 5-22
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who meet the qualifications and enter with the appropriate project requirements may apply.
- Open to all current university students (undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral) at a recognized Higher Education Institution anywhere in the world.
- The program encourages scientific understanding of real-world issues and the integration of environmentally responsible energy sources. Each year, the Clean Tech Competition addresses an issue that is grounded in core technological competency areas and focuses on the next great engineering challenges.
President’s Environmental Youth Award
- Grades: K-12
- Individual or Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Applicant sponsor/co-sponsor confirms that applicants meet all eligibility requirements by completing the Eligibility Self-Screen Checklist on page 6 of the application form
- Ages: Must be at least 16 years old. Exceptions may be made for some 14-15 year
- Team
- Not open to Homeschool Students
- Grades: 9-12, who have conducted a water-related science project and reached the age of 15 by Aug. 1 of the competition year.
- Individual or Teams of 2
- Open to Homeschool Students: The competition is open to any high school student in grades 9 through 12, who has conducted a water-related science project and reached the age of 15 by Aug. 1 of the competition year.
- Grades: 7-12
- Individual or Teams
- Homeschool Students: To join FFA, you must be enrolled in an agriculture course at your Contact your school counselor or agriculture teacher to enroll in an agricultural education program and join FFA. Go here for more information. Contact your state FFA association and ask about membership requirements and/or restrictions in your state. Additional information can be found in the Official FFA Manual.
Engineering & Robotics
The Botball Educational Robotics Program
- Grades: 6-8, 9-12
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: With no minimum or maximum number of students allowed per team and no school affiliation requirements, Botball® encourages involvement from all types of student groups.
- Ages: High School students
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: (Contact your local FIRST Program Delivery Partner or Senior Your contact knows the FIRST teams, participating schools, and FIRST-friendly businesses in your area. They can help you form a plan for getting your team funded, organized, and in touch with other teams in the area)
- Grades: 7-12
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Contact your local FIRST Program Delivery Partner or Senior Mentor. Your contact knows the FIRST teams, participating schools, and FIRST-friendly businesses in your They can help you form a plan for getting your team funded, organized, and in touch with other teams in the area.
- Grades: Elementary-Post Secondary
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Multiple homeschool student teams participate in this Most of the time, it is a group of homeschoolers that work together to form a team (Contest Manual)
- Grades: Middle school to high school
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: All competitors start at the Hub Level Winning teams advance to the Regional Championship.
BotsIQ: Combat Robotics Program
- Grades: 9-12
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students may form a team and register to compete or contact their local high school to see if there is an active team they can join.
- Grades: 6-8
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Future City is open to students who are from the same school, a home school environment or are members of a nationally, regionally, or state-recognized youth- focused organization, such as the Boy and Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, or 4-H. Not sure if your organization qualifies? Contact futurecity@discovere.org
- Grades: High School level
- Team
- Homeschool Students: Students need to be a part of a public high school team or an organization to participate.
Rubberband Contest for Young Inventors
- Grades: 5-8
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to enter the See the contest rules on listed on the website.
Collegiate Inventors Competition
- Grades: Part-time or Full-time enrolled college students
- Individual or Teams
- Homeschool Students: Students who are enrolled in part-time collegiate courses may apply for the competition.
MATE (Marine Advanced Technology Education) ROV Competition
- Grades: K-Collegiate
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Groups interested in participating in the MATE Center competition should contact their regional coordinator (Click here for our Regional Map and contact information). Regional coordinators can provide groups with additional information and additional local resources.
NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge
- Grades: 6-12, College and University
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Homeschool teams are welcomed! The handbook is usually released late July and proposals due in early September. Take a look at this year’s handbook to get a better idea of the timeline and requirements.
Lawrence Technological University Robofest
- Grades: 4-12
- Teams of 2-5
- Open to Homeschool Students: Homeschool students can start a team and register with a coach to enter the competition.
- Ages: All Ages
- Teams (must be in same age division)
- Open to Homeschool Students
- Grades: 5-12 by invitation only
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Compete Regionally or Apply for a Wild Card
- Grades: High School
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Students can start their own It is recommended to have a team of 12 with at least 2 members with their license and able to drive unaccompanied.
The American Rocketry Challenge
- Grades: Middle School to High School (6-12)
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can enter as part of a school team with permission of that school’s principal, or they can enter by being part of a local chapter of a non-profit organization outside of the school context. If there is a local organization specifically for homeschool students and at least one of the students is a member, this counts as a “non-profit organization” as well.
- Grades: Middle School – High School
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Priority is given to schools and community-based organizations in the Aerospace Corporation service area.
- Grades: High School Level
- Teams (Recruited from National Biology Olympiads)
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students must be one of the top four students in their National Biology Olympiad.
Physics & Astronomy
High School Physics Photo Contest
- Grades: High School level (9-12)
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students can reach out to the AAPT High School Physics Photo Contest at photocontest@aapt.org, or 301-209-3340 for information on participating.
National Young Astronomer Award (NYAA)
- Ages: 14-19
- Individual and Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: It is recommended that applicants be members of the Astronomical League, either through an astronomy club or a youth member-at-large membership. A team of professional astronomers will judge the Students must also have a sponsor when registering.
- Grades: 9-12
- Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: The PhysicsBowl exam MUST be proctored. It is expected that competitors will take the exam at their local school. Homeschooled students should contact nearby high schools, community colleges, or universities to ask if they can take the exam
Space Settlement Design Competitions
- Grades: 9-12 (Ages: 15+)
- Teams and Individual for finals
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can sign up individually to
- Grades: 6-12
- Individual and Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students may enter individually, separate from a Entries are also grouped by age/grade of the oldest contestant for judging.
- Grades: Juniors and Seniors in Undergrad
- Individual
- Open to students in their junior and senior year of college studying science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with the intent to pursue research or advance their field upon completion of their final degree.
Computer Science & Coding
American Computer Science League (ACSL)
- Grades: K-12
- Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Contests are administered online. Team advisors facilitate students’ access to the online platform; the platform corrects the submissions and reports the scores to Online resources assist advisors to prepare their students for each competition
The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC)
- Grades: 9-12 (women, genderqueer, or non-binary students)
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Award recipients are selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing, as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and future plans.
- Grades: High School Level
- Individual
- Open To Homeschool Students: Homeschool students can also follow the rules laid out on the website to enter.
Science Fair Resources/Project Sites
- Regeneron ISEF-affiliated science fair
- Math Projects for Science Fairs
- Project Laboratory in Mathematics
- Science Buddies
- Science Fair Central
- WWW Virtual Library: Directory of Science Fairs
Speech & Debate
American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest
- Ages: Any student under the age of 20 years on the date of the national contest who is presently enrolled in a high school or junior high school
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Any student enrolled in junior high school or high school can compete individually.
- Grades: 5-12
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Contact meany@cmc.edu and mkurkhill23@cmc.edu to start or join a debate league.
National High School Mock Trial
- Grades: 9-12
- Teams
- Homeschool Students: Teams can consist of home school students. Contact your state coordinators about The team must receive approval prior to the commencement of the first round of their competition. National Speech & Debate Association
National Speech and Debate Association
- Grades: Middle School to High School
- Individual or Team
- Open to Homeschool Students: If your state recognizes individual homeschools for participation in school-based activities, your homeschool may be eligible for membership. Contact your state’s activities association to find out more or email info@speechanddebate.org.
National Catholic Forensic League
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual or Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Home schools are eligible to join a Diocesan League and the LEAGUE according to all established rules of the Diocesan League and the Regardless of the number of home schools as members of a Diocesan League, only one Home School will be counted for determining entry quotas into the Grand National Tournament
Harvard National High School Invitational Forensics Tournament
- Grades: High School or online divisions offered for middle school
- Individual or Teams
- Homeschool Students: The tournament typically allows participation from all students, regardless of their schooling background, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria set by the tournament organizers. This might include factors such as age, grade level, or previous experience in speech and debate competitions.
Christian Speech and Debate League
- Ages: 12-18
- Individual or Teams
- Homeschool Students: Join or find a local club here
National Christian Homeschool Speech and Debate
- Ages: 12-18
- Individuals or Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Created specifically for homeschool students to compete in a faith-founded speech and debate program.
University of Kentucky Tournament of Champions
- The Tournament of Champions (TOC) is held every year in April on the University of Kentucky’s campus. It is considered to be one of the more highly regarded and competitive speech and debate tournaments in the United States.
Writing
General Creative Writing/Multidisciplinary
Annual Holocaust Art & Writing Contest
- Grades: Middle School to High School
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: All educational facilities that serve grades 6 – 12 are eligible to participate in the contest.
New York Times Opinion Writing Contest
- Ages: Students ages 13 to 19 who attend middle or high school
- Individual or Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can submit their entries
Stone Soup: Annual Book Contest
- Grades: K-8
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Submissions of multiple manuscripts by the same author are accepted but you must submit each as an individual entry and pay the fee each time
National Youth Foundation: Amazing Women Writing Contest
- Grades: K-8
- Individual or Teams of up to 22
- Open to Homeschool Students: Individual entry forms must be signed by each student participant and their parent or legal guardian.
The Bennington Young Writers Awards
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: All entries must be original work reviewed, approved and sponsored by a high school We will use your sponsoring teacher as a contact for the competition should we have any questions. For homeschooled students, please contact a mentor to sponsor your writing.
Natures Wild Neighbours Society
- Ages: 19 years old and younger
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Open to anyone under the age of Students can submit their entries independently.
Outdoor Writers Association of America
- Grades: 11-12 and in college
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who are unsure of their grade should choose an appropriate category based on where the student would be placed if attending public school in the United States.
National Shakespeare Competition
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: When registering, please select your nearest ESU Branch from this list to view and submit the School Participation Form. Schools outside of participating ESU branches may compete via the E-Branch.
- Grades: 5-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can submit their entries with a parent or guardian’s .
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Not open to homeschool Submissions must be nominated and entered by public school teachers.
Kay Snow Student Writing Contest
- Grades: 1-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students should select the appropriate age level and category to enter their work.
Faulkner Wisdom Creative Writing Contest
- Grades: 9-12, Undergraduate, Graduate, Educator, and Professional
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students at least in ninth grade or above can enter their work for the contest.
Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder/Sense of the Wild Contest
- Ages: Open to Every Age
- Team of 2 or The team must have members from two, or more, different generations.
- Open to Homeschool Students
- No age or grade restrictions
- Individual
- Open to Homeschoolers: Parents can help students submit their
Poetry
Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers
- Grades: High school Sophomores and Juniors
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who are studying at the equivalent grade levels required to enter, may submit their poetry for the competition.
- Grades: Pre-K, K-12
- Individuals
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students must meet the submission guidelines to
- No age or grade Entrants must reside in the U.S.
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to submit their
- Grades: 9-12, with an exception made for 8th-grade students participating in a 9th through 12th grade class
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students may participate by competing in a contest at a local school (at the school’s discretion) or with other local homeschooled students. Contact your state coordinator for specific guidelines.
The Adroit Prizes for Poetry and Prose
- Grades: All secondary and undergraduate students are Including students who have graduated a semester early.
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students must meet the submission guidelines to
Manningham Student Poetry Awards
- Grades: 6-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Competition is open to all qualified Students are eligible for entry by individual NFSPS member states.
- Ages: Young women who are sophomores or juniors in high school or preparatory school
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: You can submit entrance questions to hupoet@hollins.edu.
Leonard L. Milberg ’53 High School Poetry Prize
- Grades: High school juniors
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students will submit their work independently, separate from their school.
National High School Poetry Contest
- Grades 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Entrants must be a high school student or a home-schooled student in grades nine through Students from anywhere in the United States may enter.
Carl Sandburg Student Poetry Contest
- Grades: 3-12
- Individual
- Not Open to Homeschool Students: Educators are invited to submit original poems written by their students.
The Nicholas A. Virgilio Memorial Student Haiku and Senryu Competition
- Grades: 7-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to enter the
- Grades: 7-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students in the equivalent grade level required to enter may submit their haikus.
The Sejong Cultural Society – Poetry
- Ages: 18 and younger, 19 and older
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students will enter the appropriate age division when
- Grades: K-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students must fulfill the contest requirements to
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: High school students may send in their single entries for a small
Creative Communication Poetry Contest
- Grades: K-9
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: As long as a student is in grades K-9 in the United States, it doesn’t matter where they go to school.
Prose/Fiction
“Storytellers of Tomorrow” High School Creative Writing Contest
- Grades: High School Level
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: If you’re a high-school-age student enrolled in a high-school curriculum and you’re writing in English you may enter.
Stony Brook Short Fiction Prize
- Grades: Undergraduates enrolled full-time in US and Canadian Universities
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students must show proof of being enrolled at a University
NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program
- Grades: K-5, 6-8, 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to
- Grades: K-8
- Individual or Teams
- Open to Homeschool Students: Parents can register as coordinators and submit on students’
- National Youth Foundation Student Book Scholars ContestAges: K-8
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: No school information is required to
Playwriting
VSA Playwright Discovery Program Competitions
- Ages: Writers must be enrolled in high school (generally, ages 14-19) and must have a
- Individual and Co-authored entries (two people)
- Open to Homeschool Students: As long as students fulfill the eligibility requirements they may
Writopia Lab Worldwide Plays Festival
- Ages: 6 to 18
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: As long as students fulfill the eligibility requirements they may
New Voices One-Act Competition for Young Playwrights
- Ages: 20 years old or younger
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: If students fulfill the requirements to enter and what their submissions should entail, they may enter.
- Grades: Students in the eleventh grade in the S.
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: As long as you are studying at the 11th grade level, you are eligible for the contest.
Essay
New York Times: Student Review Contest
- Ages: Students ages 11 to 19 who attend middle or high school
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can submit their entries independently
New York Times: Personal Narrative Writing Contest
- Ages: Students ages 11 to 19 who attend middle or high school
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students can submit their entries independently
National Council of Teachers of English: Achievement Awards in Writing
- Grades: High School Sophomores and Juniors
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students must be recommended by nominating/participating schools that are US Contact your school district to confirm your district’s participation and obtain specific guidance for how to apply.
Essay and Art Contest on Human and Civil Rights
- Grades: 6-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Open to all students in grades 6-12 and who identify as a part of the South Asian diaspora.
The Sejong Cultural Society – Essay
- Grades: Junior division: 8th grade and younger; Senior division: grade 9-12; adult division: ages 19-30
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students should see the corresponding age division essay prompt to craft their entry.
- Grades 3-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Homeschooled students should choose an appropriate category based on where the student would be placed if attending public school.
National Council of Teachers of English: Promising Young Writers Program
- Grades: For 8th grade students in the current academic year
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students can contact NCTE for eligibility questions as schools must be US accredited and students must be nominated by their school’s English Department or
Society of Professional Journalists and Journalism Education Association
- Grades 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students may participate as long as they fulfill the submission
- Ages: 13-19
- Individual or Teams up to 5
- Homeschool Students: Open to public, private, or charter school students in the
Americans Against Gun Violence
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students must be in the equivalent grades that are eligible for
Go On Girl! Unpublished Writer’s Award
- Ages: S resident of any age, with a strong connection to identify with the African Diaspora
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to participate if they meet the award’s requirements.
American Geosciences Institute
- Grades: 6-9
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Parents can help fill out and submit the entry
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to S. students enrolled in public, private, parochial high schools or home-study programs. See Rules and Eligibility for more information.
- Grades: 8-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students
Cancer Unwrapped Teen Essay Writing Contest
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students may submit their entries independently
Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation Essay Contest
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to participate in the
Eco-Generation Environmental Essay Competition
- Ages: 14-24
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to participate in the
Jane Austen Society of North America Essay Contest
- Grades: 9-12, Collegiate and Graduate School Level
- Individual
- Homeschooled Students: Students enrolled at the high school level during the contest year are
United States Institute for Peace – National High School Essay Contest
- Grades: High school and college level
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students and home-schooled students enrolled at the high school level during the contest year are invited to compete for scholarship awards.
American Society of Human Genetics: DNA Day Essay Contest
- Grades 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Parents may submit essays if the student is
- Grades: 7-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students will find a Sponsor in the drop-down list and send their completed essay and cover sheet.
Sons of the American Revolution: George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students are eligible to participate in the
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who are enrolled in the equivalent grade levels that are required to compete, may submit an essay.
- Ages: 14-19
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Open to public, private or charter school students in the Journalism
Annual Contest/Review for Scholastic: Yearbooks, Magazines and Newspapers
- Grades: 9-12
- Team
- Homeschool Students: Not open to Homeschool
National Federation of Press Women: High School Communications Contest
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: NFPW affiliates host statewide contests open to all high school This includes public, private, or home school students who reside in their states.
National Federation of Press Women: Professional Communications Contest
- Ages: High School and beyond (High school students may enter the professional contest if they are acting in a professional capacity)
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Entrants must enter their home-state contest, if one is If not, enter the at-large contest.
Publication Sources & Resources
- Polyphony Lit
- NaNoWriMo
- Snarl
- The Concord Review
- One Teen Story
- Stone Soup
- National Youth Foundation: Amazing Women Writing Contest
- Ice Lolly Review
- Society of Professional Journalists
Leadership
Brower Youth Awards: New Leaders Initiative
- Ages: 13-22
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Any student who meets the qualifications can apply.
Neighborhood Excellence Student Leadership
- Grades: Current High school Juniors or Seniors
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students who are enrolled in the equivalent grade levels can apply.
HOBY State and Virtual Leadership Seminars
- Grades: 10
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Enrolled students must be a part of a school registered with a School ID.
Prudential Emerging Visionaries
- Ages: 14-18 (not older than 18 by the end of the entry period)
- Individual
- Open to Homeschool Students: Students will follow the process of applying that Prudential states on the website
- Grades: 12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students in the grade equivalent to year 12 and meet the rest of the requirements are eligible to enter.
ENF: Most Valuable Student Award
- Grades: 12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Current high school seniors, or the equivalent, who are citizens of the United States are eligible to apply.
- Grades: 12 (graduating seniors)
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Homeschool students are encouraged to apply, assuming they meet all academic and financial requirements.
Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge
- For students in grades 5-8, this contest fosters the exploration, understanding and communication of science. More than 60,000 children from around the country enter science projects in one of the science and engineering fairs affiliated with Science Service. In October, 40 finalists receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. for the competition finals, consisting of a series of team challenges and oral presentations. The winners receive scholarships and semifinalists receive prizes.
National History Day Competition
- A year-long education program that culminates in a national contest every June.
EconChallenge – Economics Challenge Program
- Available in some states, EconChallenge is an online competition for high school students during which winning teams can eventually compete at the national level.
- The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark students interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography.
- An annual, K-12, innovation competition that promotes and celebrates youth innovation in the United States. It is held virtually so that any student in the US has an opportunity to enter. The primary goal of the NIC is to give every child in the United States an opportunity to learn innovation skill through unstructured problem-solving activities that connect to core STEM standards.
- This robotics competition allows teams of students in middle school and beyond design and build remote-controlled robots to face off in regional and national competitions.
Quiz Bowl Tournament of Champions
- The American Scholastic Competition Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing teachers and students and to promoting academic excellence. This is a triple-elimination tournament, which provides maximum opportunity for student participation.
- Grades: 11 (Nominate High School Juniors here)
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: This award is not open to homeschool You must be a high school junior attending a U.S public school to be nominated.
- Grades: 9-12 applying to college
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Applying for a Stamps Scholarship is easy, just apply to one or more of our partner schools. If you qualify, you’ll automatically be considered for a Stamps Award. Expect an interview (or two or three) to be part of the process.
- Grades: 9-12
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students who meet the qualifications may
FBLA National Leadership Conference
- Grades: 9-12 and Collegiate
- Individual
- Homeschool Students: Students can join their local If one does not exist, they can join the state or national chapter to attend the conference and participate in FBLA events.
FCCLA Program Awards & Competitive Events
- Grades: 8-12 and Collegiate
- Individual or Teams up to 3
- Homeschool Students: Any student who has taken a course in Family and Consumer Sciences, or as determined by the state department of education, middle school through grade 12 is eligible for active membership in an organized FCCLA chapter within their school. Once the state and national dues are paid, the student will be an official affiliated member. Students can join the association in multiple ways so they are eligible to participate in competitions.
Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC)
- This is the world’s largest student rocket contest and a key piece of the aerospace and defense industry’s strategy to build a stronger U.S. workforce in STEM.
- Teams of students in grades K-12 submit designs for new technology that benefits society. Member of first- and second- place teams each receive a $10,000 and $5,000 savings bond, respectively, and an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony.
Comments
Molly Beausir
Please email me with questions!! No barrier to participate and the contest is open to all 50 states and U.S. Territories.
Lori Collins
Abhem
AHMET TILFARLIGİL