6 Best Writing Contests For High School Authors That Build Real Portfolios

Your teen spends hours crafting stories in a notebook or a Google Doc, lost in worlds of their own making. You see the passion and the talent, but wonder how to help them take the next step beyond the classroom. Writing contests offer a fantastic way to validate their skill, build confidence, and create tangible achievements for their future.

Choosing Contests for Your Teen’s Writing Goals

Does your teen’s desk drawer overflow with fantasy short stories, or are they more likely to be found debating current events at the dinner table? The first step in choosing a writing contest is understanding what motivates them. The goal isn’t just to win; it’s to find an opportunity that aligns with their interests and strengthens their unique voice.

Think about the purpose. Is this about building a college application portfolio, or is it about gaining the confidence that comes from external validation? Some contests, like Scholastic, offer broad prestige across many genres. Others, like the JFK Profile in Courage, are laser-focused on non-fiction and civic engagement, perfect for a future political science major.

Before you even look at deadlines, have a conversation with your teen. Ask them what kind of writing they are most proud of and what they enjoy creating. Match the contest to the writer, not the other way around. This ensures the process feels like a fulfilling challenge rather than a forced assignment, which is key to long-term creative development.

Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for Prestige

If you’re looking for the most recognized and respected writing award for high school students, this is it. The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have been around since 1923, and their list of past winners includes names like Stephen King, Sylvia Plath, and Amanda Gorman. This long history gives the award significant weight on a college application or resume.

The beauty of Scholastic is its sheer breadth. Students can submit work in dozens of categories, from poetry and flash fiction to dramatic script and personal essays. This allows young writers of all stripes to find a home for their work. The tiered recognition system—from Honorable Mention and Silver Key at the regional level to Gold Medals at the national level—provides multiple opportunities for students to earn an official honor.

For a teen just starting to test the waters, aiming for a regional award is a fantastic, confidence-boosting goal. For the more experienced writer, the national awards represent a pinnacle of high school literary achievement. Submitting to Scholastic is a rite of passage for many serious young authors.

YoungArts for National Recognition & Support

Does your teen dream of a life as a professional writer? If they are deeply committed to their craft and thinking about a career in the arts, the National YoungArts Foundation is the competition to target. This is less a simple contest and more of an artist identification program that provides a platform for future success.

YoungArts is incredibly competitive, but the rewards are immense. Winners are eligible for cash awards, mentorship opportunities with professional artists, and a spot in National YoungArts Week, an intensive program of master classes and workshops. It’s an experience that can fundamentally shape a young writer’s path, connecting them with a network of peers and mentors.

The ultimate prize for a select few is a nomination to be a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, one of the highest honors a high school artist can receive. YoungArts is for the pre-professional teen who is ready for a national stage and eager for career-building support. It signals a level of seriousness and talent that is impossible for colleges to ignore.

Bennington Young Writers for College-Level Work

Perhaps your teen is curious about what it’s like to major in creative writing in college. The Bennington Young Writers Awards, sponsored by Bennington College, offer a perfect preview. This contest exposes students to the kind of literary work and aesthetic standards valued at the undergraduate level.

Entrants submit a small portfolio of work in poetry, fiction, or non-fiction. The judging is done by Bennington faculty and students, giving participants a real sense of how their writing might be received in a rigorous academic setting. Winning this award is a powerful signal to any college that your teen is already producing work at a collegiate level.

While there are cash prizes, the true value is the validation. It’s a powerful boost for a student who might be on the fence about pursuing a BFA in Creative Writing. This contest is an excellent choice for a student specifically interested in demonstrating their readiness for a liberal arts or writing-intensive college program.

JFK Profile in Courage for Civic-Minded Essays

Not all powerful writing is fiction. For the student who is passionate about history, government, and social justice, the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest is an unparalleled opportunity. This contest challenges students to write a research-based essay on an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official.

This competition develops skills that are critical for success in college and beyond: research, critical analysis, and persuasive writing. It requires students to move beyond personal opinion and engage with historical sources to build a compelling, evidence-based argument. The contest is sponsored by the JFK Presidential Library and Museum, giving it immense credibility.

A win or even a notable entry in this contest is a huge asset for a student interested in fields like law, public policy, or international relations. It demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a deep engagement with civic life—qualities that are highly sought after by admissions committees at top universities.

NYT Student Contests for Editorial Writing

Is your teen constantly reading the news and forming sharp, well-reasoned opinions? The New York Times offers a suite of student contests that are perfect for the modern, media-savvy writer. Their annual Student Editorial Contest asks students to write a concise, persuasive piece on a topic they care about, modeled after the newspaper’s own op-eds.

This contest teaches students how to write for a broad, public audience. They must be clear, compelling, and concise, backing up their arguments with facts and logic. The NYT runs other contests as well, focusing on everything from personal narratives and STEM-related essays to podcasts, giving students multiple ways to engage with contemporary issues.

Placing in a New York Times contest is a contemporary and relevant achievement. It shows that a student can not only write well but can also participate in the important conversations of our time. This is for the teen who wants to use their voice to make an impact on the world right now.

Leveraging Contest Entries for College Apps

The work doesn’t end once the "submit" button is clicked. The real power of these contests comes from how your teen strategically presents them on their college applications. Every honor, from a regional Scholastic key to a national medal, should be listed in the "Honors and Awards" section of the Common App.

But don’t stop there. The pieces themselves are valuable assets. A powerful personal essay submitted to Scholastic could be adapted into a compelling college admissions essay. A well-researched JFK Profile in Courage paper could be submitted as a supplemental writing sample to a university that requests one, showcasing academic rigor.

Encourage your teen to think of their contest submissions as a curated portfolio. When a college asks for an activity description, they can write "Award-Winning Creative Writer" and list their specific achievements. This transforms a passion into a concrete, verifiable accomplishment that admissions officers can easily recognize and value.

Ultimately, the goal isn’t just to fill a trophy case or pad a resume. The process of revising an essay, polishing a poem, and bravely sending it out into the world is where the real growth happens. These contests provide the structure and deadlines to help your teen become a more disciplined, confident, and resilient writer, which is a prize worth more than any medal.