The College Board National Recognition Program awards academic honors to high-performing students to help them stand out to colleges and celebrate their hard work. Students of all backgrounds from schools nationwide are eligible to claim an award based on their achievement on AP® Exams and/or PSAT-related assessments. By claiming a National Recognition Program award, eligible students have a tangible way to share their academic achievements with colleges and scholarship programs. 

The 2025 College Board National Recognition Program offers three award designations:

• School Recognition Award, a new addition that honors the top-performing students in high schools nationwide.

• First-Generation Recognition Award, honoring students on track to be the first in their family to complete college.

• Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, which elevates students from high schools in smaller communities that are often less well known by colleges. 

Students are eligible in their 10th- and 11th- grade years for their exceptional academic performance. To qualify, students must:

Take the PSAT/NMSQT™ (10th, 11th), PSAT™ 10 (10th), and/or AP Exams (by the end of 10th grade).

Earn a cumulative GPA of B+ or higher (at least 3.3 or 87%−89%) by the time of submission. 

Demonstrate further academic achievement: 

Be one of the top 10% of test takers─in their high school, among first-generation college students in their state, and/or among rural and small-town students in their state OR 

Earn 3 or higher on 2 or more distinct AP Exams in the 9th and/or 10th grade.

Students recognized include:

• Kyson Bates- School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Thomason Burkett-School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Ryder Calhoun- School Recognition Award

• Alejandra Castillo- First-Generation Recognition Award

• Jacob Collins- First-Generation Recognition Award

• Jade Dospapas- First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, School Recognition Award

• Dax Elder- First-Generation Recognition Award

• Isaiah Flores- First-Generation Recognition Award

• Victoria Jimenez- First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Caden Joy- School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Kenzie Kline- First-Generation Recognition Award, School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Taylor Lauster- School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Bayleigh McGee- School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Matthew Monrreal- Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, School Recognition Award

• Kelton Parker- Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, School Recognition Award

• Kimber Pratt- First-Generation Recognition Award

• Chris Reyes- School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Daniel Rincon- First-Generation Recognition Award

• Lisa Rodriguez- First-Generation Recognition Award

• Cy Sweedler- School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Jack Van Winkle- School Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award

• Larissa Warren- First-Generation Recognition Award

• Elijah Yoder- First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award, School Recognition Award