If you’re a high school student interested in writing, competitions can be a practical way to develop your voice and test your skills in a real-world setting. They offer structure, deadlines, and often specific prompts that help you focus your creative or analytical work.
Whether you write poetry, essays, short fiction, or journalism, entering a writing competition open to high school students gives you experience crafting polished pieces for an audience beyond the classroom. Some contests, such as the ones below, also offer feedback, publication, or recognition— which make for helpful additions to your writing portfolio or college applications.
These contests also offer publication opportunities, cash prizes, and national recognition, helping you connect with like-minded peers and explore potential college or career paths in writing and communication.
To help you get started, we’ve curated 16 writing competitions for high school students across various mediums and genres, such as poetry, journalism, creative nonfiction, and critical essays.
1. Horizon Academic Essay Prize
Eligibility: Students from any country enrolled in high school (as on July 13) can apply. More details on eligibility here!
Dates: Submissions open May 1 2025, winners announced on August 26 2025.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application deadline: July 13 2025. Apply here!
Prizes: Top entries will receive cash prizes up to $1000 and full scholarships to the Horizon Academic Research Program. Select essays will be published and featured on Horizon’s website.
The Horizon Academic Essay Prize is a selective essay contest for high school students from around the world. Each essay will be evaluated by Horizon’s Academic Advisory Board—composed of faculty from top institutions like Yale, Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge. The theme for the 2025 edition is “Horizons of Knowledge”, and requires participants to submit a well-researched essay.
As a contestant, you will choose one of three guiding questions below, and submit a critical essay on the chosen question.
- In an increasingly AI-driven world, how is our ability to think for ourselves changing?
- In today’s digital age, is privacy still a relevant concern?
- Should governments regulate what is shared on social media to prevent the spread of fake news?
Submissions must take the form of a formal academic essay, written in English, and should include a clear thesis, structured argumentation, engagement with relevant sources, and critical analysis of competing viewpoints. The competition encourages depth over breadth, and will reward essays that pursue a well-defined line of inquiry with originality and nuance. Entries are judged on five criteria: originality, depth of analysis, use of evidence, structure and coherence, and clarity of language.
2. The New York Times Summer Reading Contest
Eligibility: High school students
Dates: June 6 – August 15
Location: Online submissions
Cost: Free
This weekly summer contest from The New York Times Learning Network asks you to engage directly with the news. Each week, you’ll choose an article or media piece from The Times and write a short reflection (150–300 words) explaining why it stood out to you. It’s a chance to practice connecting your personal views to current events while sharpening your writing and analysis skills.
Submissions are judged on originality, clarity, and insight, and standout responses are published on the Learning Network site. The contest is low-pressure, free to enter, and an excellent way to stay intellectually active over the summer.
3. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. and Canada
Dates: Deadlines vary by region, typically between December and January
Location: Submissions accepted online; national awards held in New York City
Cost: $10 per entry, $30 per portfolio; fee waivers available
This long-standing competition honors creative work across writing and visual art. You can submit original writing in genres like poetry, personal essays, journalism, or short stories. Work is evaluated regionally, and top entries (Gold Keys) move on to the national level. National Medalists can earn scholarships and may have their work exhibited or published. Past winners include writers like Sylvia Plath and Stephen King. The program emphasizes technical skill, originality, and a strong personal voice.
4. Young Authors Writing Competition – Columbia College Chicago
Eligibility: All high school students
Dates: Submissions typically due in December (exact date varies)
Location: Online submissions
Cost: Free to enter
Hosted by the English and Creative Writing Department at Columbia College Chicago, this annual competition invites entries in fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction. You can submit up to two entries per category, with a limit of 10 pages each. Judges look for strong storytelling, a clear voice, and creative risk-taking.
Winners receive recognition and may have their work showcased by the college. The competition aims to support young writers and give you a platform to share original work with a broader literary community.
5. River of Words Youth Art and Poetry Contest
Eligibility: High school students
Dates: October 15 – January 31
Location: Online submissions; mailed artwork required
Cost: Free
This international contest invites you to explore environmental themes through poetry and visual art. Hosted by Saint Mary’s College of California, the program emphasizes the intersection of creative expression and ecological awareness, focusing on watersheds and the natural world.
You’ll craft poems inspired by personal observations, environmental issues, and place-based experiences. Submissions are judged on originality, imagery, and emotional resonance. Selected work is featured in the annual River of Words Anthology, offering publication opportunities for emerging writers and artists interested in sustainability and environmental justice.
6. John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–12
Dates: September 1 – January 17
Location: Online submissions only
Cost: Free; participants receive cash prizes
This competition asks you to write about a U.S. elected official who demonstrated political courage by acting against popular opinion or risking their career for the public good. Through in-depth research and argumentation, you’ll build skills in persuasive writing, political analysis, and historical context. Essays are evaluated for originality, clarity, and depth of insight. The first-place winner receives $10,000, and runners-up also receive scholarship awards. This is a strong fit if you’re interested in history, government, or public policy writing.
7. Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Dates: March – July 31
Location: International; online submissions accepted
Cost: Free
Run by The Poetry Society (UK), this contest is one of the most competitive youth poetry awards globally. You can submit original poems in any style or theme, and winners are chosen for their technical skill, voice, and emotional depth.
Fifteen top entries are published in a widely distributed anthology, and 85 additional students receive commendations. Winners are invited to workshops and development programs with professional poets, making this a standout opportunity for serious young writers seeking mentorship and an international audience.
8. Write the World Nature Poetry Competition
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Dates: January 6 – January 27
Location: Online submissions only
Cost: Free; winners receive a cash prize
The Write the World Nature Poetry Competition invites students to write about their relationship with nature using literary techniques like metaphor, rhythm, and vivid imagery. Entries are judged by professional poets and evaluated on creativity, technical strength, and emotional resonance.
Winners receive cash awards, feedback from guest judge Rachel Eliza Griffiths, and the chance to be published by Write the World. This short-form, themed competition is ideal for students looking to workshop their poetry with expert input.
9. Harvard International Economics Essay Competition (HIEEC)
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Dates: November 2 – January 24
Location: Online submissions through the HUEA website
Cost: $20 (U.S.); $30 (international); fee waivers available
Hosted by the Harvard Undergraduate Economics Association, this competition lets you respond to one of four essay prompts addressing contemporary economic issues such as environmental policy, income inequality, or cryptocurrency. You’ll write up to 1,500 words using economic theory and analysis, strengthening your research and argumentation skills. Submissions are judged on originality, insight, and clarity. Top essays may be published online, offering visibility within academic and policy circles.
10. World Historian Student Essay Competition
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Dates: Submissions due by May 1
Location: Submit via email or postal mail
Cost: Free
Run by the World History Association, this competition asks you to explore how world history shapes your life, family, or community. You’ll write a personal, historically grounded essay that links individual experience to larger global narratives.
Essays are judged on thematic clarity, evidence use, and historical understanding. The winner receives a $500 prize and a year-long WHA membership. It’s especially well-suited for students interested in personal storytelling through a historical lens.
11. Ocean Awareness Contest – Creative Writing Category
Eligibility: Students ages 11–18 enrolled in middle or high school
Dates: Entries must be submitted by June 9
Location: Online
Cost: Free
This international competition invites you to reflect on your relationship with nature through fiction or nonfiction writing. Centered on the theme “Connections to Nature: Looking Inside, Going Outside,” the contest encourages environmental storytelling through essays, personal narratives, or short stories. You’ll hone your voice while addressing ecological and social issues. Winners receive cash prizes and the opportunity to join a global network of young environmental storytellers.
12. John Locke Institute Essay Competition
Eligibility: Open to high school students worldwide
Dates: Participants must register by May 31
Location: Online submissions only
Cost: Free
This international essay competition invites you to explore challenging, interdisciplinary questions across seven subjects: Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, Psychology, Theology, and Law. You’ll choose one of three prompts in your selected category and write a thoughtful essay that showcases clear reasoning, persuasive argumentation, and depth of knowledge beyond the standard curriculum.
The competition emphasizes independent thinking and aims to develop skills in critical analysis and academic writing. Finalists are invited to Oxford for the awards ceremony and academic events hosted by the John Locke Institute.
13. AFSA National High School Essay Contest
Eligibility: U.S. high school students in grades 9–12; children of Foreign Service employees are not eligible
Dates: The last date to submit is March 31
Location: Online submissions only
Prizes: $2,500 cash + Washington D.C. trip + Semester at Sea for winner; $1,250 and full NSLC scholarship for runner-up
Run by the American Foreign Service Association, this contest asks you to write an essay addressing a major challenge facing the U.S. Foreign Service. You’ll research historical and contemporary issues in diplomacy and propose thoughtful solutions, developing your analytical writing and global awareness.
This is a great opportunity to practice persuasive writing and policy analysis, particularly if you’re interested in international relations or political science. Finalists receive significant prizes, including a fully funded trip to Washington, D.C., and scholarships for educational experiences.
14. Ayn Rand Institute Essay Contests
Eligibility: Open to students worldwide, middle school through graduate level
Dates: August 1 deadline
Location: Online submissions only
Prizes: Up to $25,000 grand prize per contest
This set of annual essay contests invites you to respond to one of Ayn Rand’s novels- Anthem, The Fountainhead, or Atlas Shrugged. You’ll craft an argumentative essay analyzing the themes and philosophical underpinnings of Rand’s fiction, such as individualism, objectivism, or free will.
The contest challenges you to build textual evidence, write persuasively, and engage with complex ideas. It’s an ideal option for students interested in literature, philosophy, or political thought. Essays are judged on clarity, originality, and depth of understanding.
15. High School Essay Contest – Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL), Rice University
Eligibility: Houston ISD sophomores and juniors from Title I schools with a 3.0+ GPA or top 10% class rank
Dates: Vary by year; typically spring
Location: In-person events at Rice University + online submission
Prizes: Up to $1,000; top writers receive SAT prep and campus workshop
This local contest invites students from underrepresented backgrounds in Houston ISD to submit a short essay (500–750 words) exploring a critical issue or personal insight. The contest emphasizes complex thinking and concise, structured writing.
All participants attend a full-day workshop on college admissions, writing, and a campus tour. Finalists are awarded scholarships and a Princeton Review SAT prep course. If you’re seeking writing experience alongside college access support, this can be a good option.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Rice University