Volunteer Scholars is an awarding organization for the President’s Award of Outstanding Academic Excellence. This award is part of the President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) through the US Department of Educations and the national associations of school principals (NAESP, NASSP).
The President’s Award of Outstanding Academic Excellence recognizes students who have achieved academic excellence and who are “graduating” from elementary school (completing 6th grade, rising 7th grader); middle school (completing 8th grade, rising 9th grader); and high school (graduating 12th grader). This award is a commendation and validation of academic success and will be a noteworthy accomplishment on a student’s record or personal resume.
Award
Students will receive a stamped and enameled metal pin and gold-seal certificate. 6th graders receive the blue/gold pin; 8th graders receive the red/gold pin; and 12th graders receive the black/gold pin
Eligibility
Student Status
Members must be enrolled in public school, private school, parochial school, charter school, home school, online or virtual school, hybrid of these, or community college (through age 18).
Grade
Student must be considered a 6th grader, 8th grader, or 12th grader for one of these awards.
6th Graders
Report Cards or Transcript
Submit report cards or a transcript reflecting all of 5th grade and first semester 6th grade work. Report cards or transcript should list subjects studied and letter grade awarded (A, B, C, D, F), where an A represents at least a 90% mastery. Overall grades from 5th-6th grade must average to 90% to be eligible.
Parent Statement
Provide a written parent statement discussing student’s academic motivation, initiative, integrity, intellectual depth, leadership qualities, and/or exceptional judgement. Statement should be limited to one typed page.
Test Scores
Provide a copy of standardized test results from a nationally normed test which reflects at least 6th grade level and has a composite score of 90th percentile or higher. Common nationally normed tests include California Achievement Test, Stanford, and Iowa Test of Basics Skills, but other tests will be considered if scores are reported as nationally normed.
Deadline
Submit application form and all other documents by email or hard copy (US Mail, FedEx, UPS) to Volunteer Scholars by April 1.
8th Graders
Report Cards or Transcript
Submit report cards or a transcript reflecting all of 7th grade and first semester 8th grade work. Report cards or transcript should list subjects studied and letter grade awarded (A, B, C, D, F), where an A represents at least a 90% mastery. Overall grades from 7th-8th grade must average to 90% to be eligible.
Parent Statement
Provide a written parent statement discussing student’s academic motivation, initiative, integrity, intellectual depth, leadership qualities, and/or exceptional judgement. Statement should be limited to one typed page.
Test Scores
Provide a copy of standardized test results from a nationally normed test which reflects at least 6th grade level and has a composite score of 90th percentile or higher. Common nationally normed tests include California Achievement Test, Stanford, and Iowa Test of Basics Skills, but other tests will be considered if scores are reported as nationally normed.
Deadline
Submit application form and all other documents by email or hard copy (US Mail, FedEx, UPS) to Volunteer Scholars by April 1.
12th Graders
Transcript
Submit a high school transcript reflecting high school work from 9th, 10th, 11th, and first semester of 12th grade work. The high school transcript should identify the titles of all high school courses, grades earned, and GPA through first semester of 12th grade. In-progress, 2nd semester classes should be listed and labeled “in progress” with no grade assigned if 2nd semester courses will not be complete by time of application.
GPA
Transcript should include student’s GPA, calculated over 7 semesters, on a 4.0 scale. Quality points can be awarded for honors classes (+0.5), AP (+1.0) or dual enrollment (+1.0). Overall high school GPA must be 3.5 or higher for this award.
Student Activities
Provide a student resume or one-page typed statement of activities, written by the student, listing his/her extracurricular activities, leadership, volunteer work, employment, sports, awards, or honors in high school.
Entrance Exam Score
Provide a copy of standardized test results from a college entrance exam (SAT or ACT) reflecting a score of 90th percentile or higher.
Deadline
Submit application form and all other documents by email or hard copy (US Mail, FedEx, UPS) to Volunteer Scholars by April 1.
Download the President’s Award of Outstanding Academic Excellence application.