Graduating class of 2024 can apply for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program

Class of 2024 high school graduates can apply for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Deadline to mail in application is Dec. 1, 2023.

The United States Presidential Scholars Program (USPSP) was established in 1964, by Executive Order of the President, to recognize and honor some of our nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors. In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative, and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education (CTE) fields. Each year, up to 161 students are named as U.S. Presidential Scholars, one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. The scholars represent excellence in education and the promise of greatness in young people. High school seniors who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents graduating between January 2024 and August 2024 who attend public, parochial, independent, or home-school programs with the aforementioned qualities are eligible for this honor.

Dr. Raymond Morgigno, Interim State Superintendent of Education, will nominate up to 20 students (10 males and 10 females) for the general component of the program and up to five students for the CTE component. The nomination application available here 2024 USPSP Combined Flyer and Application_  should be mailed to the following address by Friday, Dec. 1, 2023:

Mississippi Department of Education
c/o USPSP Committee
Office of Secondary Education
P.O. Box 771
Jackson, MS 39205

Students who are selected to be nominated by Dr. Morgigno to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program will receive additional information via postal mail OR email directly from the USPSP national office in January 2024.

All U.S. Presidential Scholars are awarded the Presidential Honors Medallion and honored for their accomplishments during the National Recognition Program in 2024 in Washington, D.C.

To learn more about the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, please visit http://www.ed.gov/psp. If you have questions for the MDE, please contact Wendy Clemons, Associate State Superintendent, at wclemons@mdek12.org.