Best Humanities Competitions for High Schoolers
Top humanities competitions for high school students, ranked by prestige.
84 opportunities found
Acumen Poetry Magazine - Submissions
AcumenLiterary magazine publishing new poetry, translations, articles, and reviews. Open submissions for poets of all levels.
One Teen Story
One StoryFree writing contest for teen writers ages 13-19. Winners are edited, published, and paid for their work.
National Forensic League (NFL) - Partners & Competitions
National Forensic LeagueSpeech & debate honor society offering multiple national competitions including IPPF, American Legion oratory, and international WSDC debate formats w...
Scripps National Spelling Bee
Scripps NetworksPremier national spelling competition for middle and high school students showcasing vocabulary mastery and competitive excellence.
Illinois History Day
Illinois State Museum6-12th grade project-based program for researching and competing in history competitions, with advancement to national competition.
National History Day (NHD) in DC
DC History Center, National History Day Inc.Students research and present on annual NHD themes through various formats. DC-wide contest in March with advancement to national competition.
Texas History Day
Texas State Historical Association (TSHA)Project-based statewide research program and competition for grades 3-12 affiliated with National History Day, where students investigate primary sour...
National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA)
National Speech & Debate AssociationLargest speech and debate organization in the US, supporting interscholastic tournaments and competitions since 1925.
National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB)
Ethics BowlCompetitive program where high school teams debate and discuss ethical issues, developing critical thinking and argumentation skills.
Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl (IEB) - 2026 National Cases
Intercollegiate Ethics BowlNational ethics competition featuring case-based discussions on contemporary ethical dilemmas for high school and college students.
John Locke Essay Competition
Modus Ponens InstituteEssay competition for high school students on topics related to John Locke and political philosophy.
USA FORENSICS OLYMPIAD Global Summer Cup USAFO 2026
USA Forensics OlympiadOnline forensics competition with debate events (PF, LD, CD). Official qualifier for 2027 USAFO Championship with cash prizes and bids to nationals.
Mississippi History Day
Mississippi Department of Archives & HistoryState affiliate of National History Day competition for middle and high school students to conduct historical research around annual themes.
SPJ/JEA High School Essay Contest
Society of Professional Journalists Foundation and Journalism Education AssociationEssay contest for high school students on media literacy and independent, ethical media with scholarship awards.
Oklahoma National History Day
Oklahoma Historical SocietyAcademic program for grades 6-12 where students research historical topics, create projects, and compete at regional, state, and national levels.
New York State History Day
Cooperstown Graduate Program at SUNY Oneonta and the New York Public History TrustYear-long educational program where students explore history, conduct research, and create projects for competition at local to national levels.
JEA National Student Media Contests - Fall 2026
Journalism Education Association (JEA)National student media competitions covering journalism, photography, design, broadcast, and digital media across 50 contest categories.
One Teen Story Contest
One StoryAnnual writing contest for teens ages 13-19 to submit original short fiction about the teen experience. Winners published and paid $500.
NSDA Student Membership
National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA)Join a school-based team to compete in speech and debate events, access training resources, and qualify for the National Tournament.
Maryland History Day
Maryland HumanitiesAnnual history competition for middle and high school students to create original projects exploring historical themes through documentaries, exhibits...
National History Day - Local State Contests
National History Day (NHD)State-level history competitions where students research historical topics and present projects in various formats.
National History Day 2027
National History DayAnnual history competition for students exploring the theme 'Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change'
Poetry Out Loud - Michigan
Michigan HumanitiesDynamic poetry recitation competition for high school students. State champion competes nationally for $20,000 college scholarship.
Patriots v. Loyalists Virtual Supreme Court Competition
Harlan InstituteHigh school moot court competition where teams argue for/against American independence using primary sources from before July 4, 1776.
USA FORENSICS OLYMPIAD Global Summer Opener
USA Forensics Olympiad (IOF)Official qualifier for 2027 USAFO Championship featuring debate competitions (PF, LD, CD) with cash prizes and bid opportunities for top competitors.
Tennessee History Day
Tennessee Historical SocietyA state-level history competition where students create projects exploring historical themes and compete at district, regional, state, and national le...
Creative Writing
Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI)Students write original short stories (1,500 words max) responding to future-focused annual topics, competing individually across three grade division...
National History Day in Delaware (NHDDE)
Delaware Historical SocietyAnnual educational competition for grades 6-12 where students conduct historical research and create projects including performances, exhibits, docume...
National History Day in North Dakota
North Dakota StudiesProject-based learning competition where students research historical topics and present in documentary, paper, exhibit, performance, or website forma...
National History Day Arkansas
National History Day / Arkansas PBSAcademic program for students to research historical topics, create presentations, and compete at local, state, and national levels.
National History Day - Rhode Island
Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS)Students conduct historical research and present projects as documentaries, exhibits, papers, performances, or websites in annual competition.
National History Day in Minnesota
Minnesota Historical SocietyCo-curricular program for students in grades 6-12 focusing on historical research and analysis on topics of their choosing.
Connecticut History Day
Connecticut Democracy Center / National History DayAnnual program engaging middle and high school students in historical research, interpretation, and creative expression through project-based learning...
MYDI Summer Tournament 2026
National Speech & Debate AssociationSummer speech and debate tournament hosted on Tabroom.com for high school competitors.
National History Day in Indiana
Indiana Historical SocietyStudents in grades 4-12 research and present projects on historical topics fitting an annual theme, with optional competition.
Massachusetts History Day
Massachusetts Historical SocietyState affiliate of National History Day where students conduct historical research and present projects as documentaries, websites, performances, pape...
Lincoln-Douglas Debate
DebateUSLincoln-Douglas debate competition with seasonal topics including Living Wage, Wealth Tax, and other policy debates.
Scholastic Journalism Credentialing Program (SJCP)
Journalism Education AssociationEarn industry-backed badges in scholastic journalism skills including editing, writing, photojournalism, design, and more.
National Writing Invitational - Discovery Category
National Writing InvitationalSubmit original discoveries, ideas, facts, experiences, or philosophies on any topic for a national writing competition.
APPE Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl
APPE (Association for Practical and Professional Ethics)Intercollegiate ethics competition where students debate philosophical and ethical issues.
Oregon History Day
Oregon Historical SocietyStudents present Oregon history projects in five categories, competing at regional and state levels toward National History Day.
Future Problem Solving Program International - Creative Writing
Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI)Students write original short stories (1,500 words or less) imagining outcomes of future scenarios based on annual problem topics.
DisLit Youth Literary Magazine
DisLit Youth Literary MagazineSafe space for disabled teens to publish personal memoirs, poems, essays, and creative writing pieces
Alabama History Day
Alabama HumanitiesState competition where middle and high school students conduct historical research and present findings as papers, documentaries, websites, performan...
Quill and Scroll Contests and Critiques
Quill and ScrollThree major annual competitions for high school journalists: Writing/Visual/Multimedia Contest, Yearbook Excellence Contest, and PSJA Journalism Conte...
JEA National Student Media Contests (NSMC)
Journalism Education Association (JEA)High school journalism competition featuring 50 categories including writing, design, photo, and broadcast for students to showcase excellence.
National History Day Georgia
Georgia Humanities and LaGrange CollegeStudents research historical topics related to an annual theme and present findings through exhibits, papers, documentaries, websites, or performances...
Ethics Bowl
Ethics in a NutshellAcademic competition focused on ethics and philosophical debate for high school students.
Writer's Digest Personal Essay Awards
Writer's DigestEssay competition with annual announcement of winners in May/June Writer's Digest issue.
Writer's Digest Annual Poetry Awards
Writer's DigestCompetition exclusively for poetry with two categories and prizes for winners.
The Past is Prologue Essay Contest
American Battle Monuments Foundation (ABMF)Essay contest exploring the legacy of American military service overseas by writing about historic battles linked to U.S. military cemeteries or monum...
2027 National History Day in Pennsylvania State Contest
University of Scranton / National History DayState-level history competition for middle and high school students. Participants create projects on annual themes.
DebateUS
DebateUSOnline debate platform offering policy debate resources, competitions, and educational content for high school debaters.
Your Story
Writer's DigestBimonthly creative writing challenge where participants submit short stories based on provided prompts for publication and prizes.
JEA National Journalism Quiz Bowl
JEA (Journalism Education Association) and NSPA (National Scholastic Press Association)National quiz bowl competition for high school journalism teams testing knowledge across journalism, media law, AP Style, and current events.
National Writing Invitational
National Writing InvitationalMonthly writing contest open to K-12 students. Submit stories in any style for monthly publication and annual awards consideration.
Writer's Digest Short Short Story Competition
Writer's DigestFiction competition for short stories of 1,500 words or fewer currently accepting entries.
Cathartic Youth Literary Magazine
Cathartic Youth Literary MagazineA space for youth writing on mental health and identity
Alaska History Day
Alaska History DayStudents in grades 6-12 create historical projects, build research skills, and learn project management and writing skills.
The Tomorrow Project Challenges
Young Writers ProjectMonthly writing and art challenges exploring today's issues with solutions for tomorrow. Win prizes and get published.
Writer's Digest Writing Contests & Competitions
Writer's DigestHub for multiple writing competitions including short stories, screenwriting, self-published e-books, and popular fiction across various genres.
Questions: Philosophy for Young People Journal
PLATO (Philosophy Learning and Teaching Organization) / Philosophy Documentation CenterAnnual journal publishing philosophical work by K-12 students including essays, poetry, art, and multimedia projects.
NewPages Young Writers Guide to Contests
NewPagesComprehensive guide to writing contests for young writers, including Scholastic Awards, poetry, and various literary competitions.
Ozark Creative Writers Showcase Awards
Ozark Creative WritersMultiple writing contests for short stories, poetry, memoirs, and published work with various themes and word limits.
Ozarks Creative Writers Contest
Ozarks Creative WritersAnnual writing contest with multiple categories for unpublished creative works. Must register for conference to enter.
Summer Debate League July Online 2026
National Speech & Debate AssociationOnline debate tournament hosted in July 2026 for high school students
Richmond Debate Institute High School Camp Tournament
Richmond Debate InstituteHigh school debate tournament hosted in Richmond, VA
Poetry in Voice / Les voix de la poésie - #recitepoetry
Poetry in Voice / Les voix de la poésieStudents memorize and recite classic and contemporary poems in English or French, competing for over $75,000 in travel and prizes.
New Jersey History Day
William Paterson UniversityA history competition for New Jersey students to research and present historical topics through various media formats.
Guam History Day
Guam Preservation Trust and University of Guam Micronesian Area Research CenterYearlong program for middle and high school students to creatively develop perspectives of Guam's history through research and presentations based on ...
Poetry Out Loud - Minnesota
Minnesota School Counselors Study Club (SCSC)Free statewide poetry recitation competition helping high school students build public speaking skills and appreciation for poetry.
New York Times Learning Network Summer Reading Contest
The New York Times Learning NetworkWeekly summer reading contest where teens submit responses about New York Times articles, photos, videos, or podcasts they've read.
DisLit Youth Literary Magazine - Essays/Prose/Nonfiction Submissions
DisLit Youth Literary MagazineYouth literary magazine publishing essays, prose, and nonfiction featuring diverse youth voices and writing styles.
Personal Essay Awards
Writer's DigestAnnual writing competition for personal essays with winners announced in Writer's Digest magazine's May/June issue.
VDA Summer Bash
VDA (Vancouver Debate Association)Online speech and debate tournament hosted on Tabroom.com
Writer's Digest Self-Published E-book Awards
Writer's DigestCompetition exclusively for self-published e-books, currently accepting entries.
Piece of Cake: A Teen-Led Food Magazine - Guest Submissions
Piece of Cake: A Teen-Led Food MagazineSubmit food-related essays, articles, recipes, and restaurant reviews to a teen-led online magazine. Ages 13-22 welcome.
2026 Fiction Chapbook Contest
Story Bottle Co.Submit up to 60 pages of fiction including flash fiction, short stories, linked stories, story cycles, or novelettes.
Six-Word Memoirs Monthly Contests
Six-Word MemoirsMonthly creative writing challenges where participants respond to prompts in exactly six words. Sometimes with prizes.
SixContest #157: All for Six
Six-Word MemoirsShare your passions, values, and guiding principles in exactly six words for the chance to be featured.
Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl Summer Workshop
Intercollegiate Ethics BowlFree online workshop for Ethics Bowl community covering coaching, organizing, judging, case writing, and competition strategies.
Hawaiʻi History Day
Hawaiʻi Council for the HumanitiesStudents create historical research projects and compete at district, state, and national levels through websites, documentaries, performances, exhibi...
North Carolina History Day
North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural ResourcesInspires historical inquiry in middle and high school classrooms through hands-on discovery as part of National History Day.
Extemp Congress
Debate USHigh school extemporaneous speaking competition with topics covering international affairs, US politics, economics, and policy issues.