Unleash Your Inner Poet: A Guide to Poetry Competitions for High School Students
In a world increasingly dominated by technology, the art of poetry provides a vital outlet for self-expression and creativity. For high school students, poetry is not only a powerful way to share innermost thoughts and feelings but also a gateway to exciting opportunities, including poetry competitions. These contests offer platforms for young poets to showcase their work, receive valuable feedback, and win prizes ranging from cash awards and scholarships to publication opportunities.
Why Participate in Poetry Competitions?
Participating in poetry competitions can be a transformative experience for high school students. These contests offer unique platforms to express themselves, gain recognition, and connect with fellow writers. They encourage creativity and critical thinking, foster a love for language, and provide opportunities for personal growth. Engaging with contests like these not only helps students refine their writing skills but also provides a stepping stone toward a potential career in poetry.
Being a poet requires creativity, openness, and self-reflection. Succeeding in highly competitive contests not only requires excellence in the craft but also determination, resilience, and organization. Students who participate in poetry contests build confidence and strengthen crucial skills that will serve them throughout their lives and careers.
Entering a poetry contest is not just about winning prizes - it’s an opportunity to grow as a writer and connect with the literary community. Here are some key benefits:
Recognition and Publication Opportunities: Many of these contests provide winners with publication opportunities, either online or in print, which can help build your portfolio and establish your credibility as a writer.
Read also: Learn about the Amy Lowell Scholarship
Mentorship and Networking: Some contests, such as the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award, offer mentoring opportunities with established poets, allowing you to develop your craft under the guidance of professionals in the field. Networking with other young writers can also inspire you and open doors for future collaborations.
Scholarships and Career Advancement: Contests like the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards offer scholarship opportunities, which can help fund your education. Many contests also provide exposure to university professors and literary agents, potentially leading to further academic or career opportunities.
Building Confidence and Skill Development: Engaging in poetry competitions helps build confidence in your writing abilities, encourages creativity, and hones your skills in poetry composition and performance. Even if you don’t win, the experience of submitting and receiving feedback can be invaluable in improving your craft.
Top Poetry Competitions for High School Students
Here are some of the best poetry contests for high school students, offering a chance to put creativity to the test:
1. Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards is a popular competition for high school students offering a solid platform for participants to showcase their talent and receive feedback from esteemed judges and mentors. The aim of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, hosted by The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, is to give young people the tools and mentorship to establish long-term, sustained success. The awards recognize young artists and writers at the regional and national levels. Their poetry category provides an inclusive platform for high school students to submit their original works, with professional recognition and scholarships as prizes. This contest not only acknowledges exceptional talent but also offers opportunities for publication and exhibition of winning entries.
Read also: Educational Benefits of Poetry
Teens in grades 7-12 (ages 13 and up) can apply in 28 categories of art and writing. Some categories include Comic Art, Fashion, Jewelry, Mixed Media, Photography, Critical Essays, Poetry, Short Stories, and more. Creative teens are recognized with awards, exhibitions, publications, and scholarships (up to $12,500).
They offer a range of prizes, including cash and tuition scholarships, for the winners. In addition, they administer the National Student Poets Program for grades 10-11. Through this program, five students are selected annually from the regional competitions to act as ambassadors for poetry in their communities.
Prizes/Cost: There is a fee of $10 (per individual entry) or $30 (for every portfolio). However, if this poses an issue, you can apply for a fee waiver! You can earn scholarships starting from 2,500 if you become a National Medalist. Moreover, if you belong to one of these universities, you are eligible to avail more scholarships.
Location: Remote Submission
Deadline: Deadlines to apply vary by region, but are usually between December and January. Look for information on your specific region for more details.
Read also: College Student Art Opportunities
Eligibility: Open to students who are ages 13 and up (Grade 7-12).
2. JUST POETRY!!! The National Poetry Quarterly
Organized by the National High School Poetry Association, this competition invites high school students to submit their original poetry for a chance to win cash prizes and have their work published. Poems are accepted and published on a quarterly basis (every 3 months, 90 days). There is no entry fee to enter or win the contest. Only one poem per poet can be entered during any 90-day span. Poems must be 20 lines or less (title and spaces between stanzas do not count) and written in English.
The prizes and awards include:
- “Poet of the Year”, the Easterday Poetry award of a $500 college scholarship.
- “Best of Issue”, a $500 scholarship prize (chosen quarterly).
- Editor’s Choice Selections, a $100 scholarship prize (chosen quarterly).
- 20-30 “JUST POETRY!!!” winners, give a free copy of the JUST POETRY!!! quarterly (chosen quarterly).
- Hundreds of “Topical Winners”, no compensation apart from being published (chosen quarterly).
Prizes/Cost: No entry fee; prize awards range between $100 - $500.
Eligibility: high school students.
3. Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award
Presented by The Poetry Society, this renowned contest has been empowering and encouraging young poets since 1998. This international poetry competition is open to students aged 11-17 to submit their poetry for free. It is organized by The Poetry Society and offers the opportunity to be recognized as one of the best young poets worldwide. The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is open to all 11-17-year-olds worldwide. It welcomes submissions of original poems in any style or theme.
The Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award closes for entries at midnight BST on 31 July. You can submit as many poems as you would like and poems can be on any subject and any length. Everyone who enters the competition will receive an e-certificate to congratulate them on participating. You can enter as an individual or teachers can enter a class set.
Some of the prizes and awards for the winners include:
- All 100 winners will be invited to a prestigious awards ceremony in London.
- All 100 winners will receive a goody bag full of books and other treats donated by our generous supporters.
- All 100 winners benefit from ongoing support and encouragement from the Poetry Society via publication, performance and an internship programme.
- Top 15 winners will have their poems printed in the winners’ print anthology.
- The top 15 winners will be invited to attend a life-changing residential writing course at one of the prestigious Arvon Centres, or receive alternative sustained mentoring from a professional poet.
Winning entries receive recognition, mentorship opportunities, poetry books, and a chance to attend a life-changing residential writing course. Joining the ranks of Foyle Young Poets with a winning poem will surely get you closer to having your works published by the Poetry Foundation.
Prizes/Cost: No cost
Location: Remote
Submission Deadline: July 31
Eligibility: Open to individuals between the ages of 11-17
4. Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers
The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers is an esteemed poetry competition organized by The Kenyon Review, a renowned literary magazine. Named in honor of Patricia Grodd, a former editor of the magazine, the contest is open to high school sophomores and juniors from around the world. This competition accepts submissions from high school sophomores and juniors only, further emphasizing its dedication to identifying and nurturing young writing talent. Young poets are invited to submit their original and unpublished poems for consideration. The competition offers a significant opportunity for emerging writers to showcase their poetic talent and be recognized by a prestigious publication.
Winning 1st place, 2nd place, or 3rd place with your submission means a generous cash prize and a chance to attend a summer workshop at the Kenyon Review Young Writers' Program. The Patricia Grodd Poetry Prize for Young Writers competition serves as a launching pad for promising young poets, providing them with invaluable guidance and support to nurture their love for literature and pursue their creative aspirations.
Deadline: Submissions are accepted annually from November 1 through November 30.
5. Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation competition that encourages high school students in the United States to engage with and appreciate poetry. The competition is organized by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation. Poetry Out Loud® lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection. Through this program, high school students across the country participate in a dynamic poetry recitation competition that is designed to improve their public speaking skills, help build confidence, and teach them about literary history.
In recognition of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, the 2025-2026 Poetry Out Loud program will focus on poems that celebrate the rich tapestry of American history and culture. An initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with state and jurisdictional arts agencies and managed by Mid Atlantic Arts, Poetry Out Loud provides free educational materials to teachers and organizers, including an online poem anthology.
Participants choose poems from an anthology of classic and contemporary works, memorize them, and then perform them in a compelling and expressive manner. Participants compete at the school, regional, and state levels, with the chance to win scholarships and advance to the national finals. Only currently enrolled students in grades 9-12 are eligible to participate. All poems must be selected from the Poetry Out Loud print or online anthology, which is updated every summer. Monetary prizes are awarded through The Poetry Foundation.
Poetry Out Loud can help students improve public speaking skills, build confidence, and grow their appreciation for poetry.
Poetry Out Loud is a tiered spoken word competition. Participating schools hold their own contests, whose winners advance to the district or county competitions. Winners of the state finals get to compete in Washington, D.C,. for national recognition. The regulations and awards can vary by state and region; each individual competition is organized separately.
Prizes/Cost: No cost; prize amounts of up to $20,000 are awarded to national winners.
Location: Varies based on state
Competition Dates:
- Classroom Competitions - November to December
- School Competitions/ Individual Competitions - December to January
- Regional Competitions - January to February
- State Finals - March 3rd
- National Finals - most likely was conducted in the month of May.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students (Note. There is an exception for grade 8 students who currently take high school classes.)
6. The Ocean Awareness Competition
The Ocean Awareness Competition is a unique and impactful contest organized by Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Programs. It aims to engage young artists, writers, and activists in addressing pressing environmental issues related to our oceans. The annual Ocean Awareness Contest is a platform for young people to learn about environmental issues through art-making and creative communication, explore their relationship to a changing world, and become advocates for positive change.
Participants are invited to submit their creative works, including visual art, poetry, prose, and multimedia projects, that raise awareness about ocean conservation and the need to protect marine ecosystems. The competition provides a powerful platform for youth to express their concerns, hopes, and ideas for a sustainable future. By participating in the Ocean Awareness Competition, young individuals can make a positive impact on environmental issues, showcase their talents and creativity, and be part of a global movement working towards preserving our oceans for generations to come.
Prizes/Cost: No cost
Location: Remote
Submission Deadline: June 20
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 11-18 are eligible (Note. If you have started university, you are not eligible for this competition regardless of age)
7. Rattle Poetry Prize
The Rattle Poetry Prize is a prestigious and highly anticipated poetry competition organized by Rattle, a well-respected literary magazine known for showcasing contemporary poets and their diverse voices. Aspiring poets are invited to submit their best original work for a chance to win cash prizes, publication in Rattle magazine, and the opportunity to reach a wide audience of poetry enthusiasts. Participating in this esteemed competition not only offers the potential for recognition and exposure but also challenges poets to hone their craft and explore innovative approaches to storytelling and self-expression. The Rattle Poetry Prize promises to be an enriching experience that celebrates the power of poetry and allows writers to connect with a supportive community of fellow poets, making it a compelling opportunity for anyone passionate about sharing their poetic vision with the world.
Prizes include:
- Contributors to the print magazine receive $200 and a complimentary one-year subscription.
- Poems for "Online" categories receive $100.
- All submissions are automatically considered for the annual Neil Postman Award for Metaphor, a $2,000 prize judged by the editors.
- Separate from general and themed (and always free) submissions, we also offer the annual $15,000 Rattle Poetry Prize and the Rattle Chapbook Prize-for each of those, a submission fee of $25 includes a one-year subscription to the magazine.
Cost: No cost unless you are applying to the Rattle Poetry Prize of Rattle Chapbook Prize where there is a submission fee of $25.
Location: Remote
Submission Deadline: General submissions are accepted year-round. If you wish to apply for a specific challenge, you can find the dates here!
Eligibility: Open to everyone.
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