454 Students Earn College Board National Recognition
454 Students Earn College Board National Recognition
Posted on 10/01/2026
A total of 454 high school juniors and seniors have earned 574 College Board National Recognition Program awards for their exceptional academic achievement. The program honors high-performing students, helping them stand out to colleges and celebrating their hard work in the classroom.
The 2026 College Board National Recognition Program offers three award designations:
- School Recognition Award: Honors top-performing students in high schools nationwide.
- First-Generation Recognition Award: Honors students on track to be the first in their family to complete college.
- Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award: Elevates students from high schools in smaller communities that are often less visible to colleges.
The College Board National Recognition Program highlights high-achieving students nationwide across all backgrounds. By claiming a National Recognition Program award(s), eligible students have a tangible way to demonstrate their success on college applications. The program also helps higher education members connect with remarkable students nationwide, including those from lesser-known high schools.
The category and number of students honored at each high school are as follows:
|
High School
|
School Recognition
|
First-Generation
|
Rural & Small-Town
|
Total Awards
|
|
Bonita Springs High
|
19
|
3
|
|
22
|
|
Cape Coral High
|
47
|
15
|
—
|
62
|
|
Cypress Lake High
|
20
|
6
|
—
|
26
|
|
Dunbar High
|
24
|
3
|
—
|
27
|
|
East Lee County High
|
30
|
2
|
—
|
32
|
|
Estero High
|
13
|
3
|
—
|
16
|
|
Fort Myers High School
|
82
|
11
|
—
|
93
|
|
Gateway High
|
40
|
14
|
28
|
82
|
|
Ida S. Baker High
|
20
|
1
|
—
|
21
|
|
Island Coast High
|
7
|
0
|
—
|
7
|
|
Lehigh Senior High
|
24
|
12
|
—
|
36
|
|
Mariner High
|
11
|
5
|
—
|
16
|
|
North Fort Myers High
|
26
|
10
|
—
|
36
|
|
Riverdale High
|
36
|
12
|
—
|
48
|
|
South Fort Myers High
|
12
|
0
|
—
|
12
|
Eligibility Requirements
Students apply for national recognition during their 10th- or 11th-grade years. To qualify, students must:
- Take qualifying exams: Complete the PSAT/NMSQT™ (10th or 11th grade), PSAT™ 10 (10th grade), and/or AP Exams (by the end of 10th grade).
- Maintain strong academic performance: Earn a cumulative GPA of B+ or higher (at least 3.3 or 87%–89%) by the time of submission.
- Demonstrate academic distinction:
- Score in the top 10% of test-takers in their high school, among first-generation college students in their state, or among rural and small-town students in their state; OR
- Earn a score of 3 or higher on two or more distinct AP Exams in 9th and/or 10th grade.