ACT-SO Achievement Program

Grades

Grades 9-12 (high school students)

Age

Typically 14-18 years old (high school age)

Citizenship

Not explicitly stated on official materials; likely open to U.S. residents

Prerequisites

Must be enrolled in high school; access to a local NAACP branch or unit required to participate

Steps

1. Contact your local NAACP branch or unit in August when local programs kick off
2. Register with the local ACT-SO program (August)
3. Work with community-based volunteer mentors throughout the year (September-March)
4. Prepare your project/performance in chosen category(ies)
5. Compete in local competition (April) - Gold medalists invited to nationals
6. Continue preparation with mentors if advancing to national level (April-July)
7. Compete at National Competition during NAACP National Convention (July)

Materials Needed

• Completed project/performance in chosen category
• Registration with local NAACP branch
• Documentation/portfolio of work depending on category
• Category-specific materials (scores for music, essays for writing, artwork for visual arts, etc.)

Timeline

August: Local programs kick off; September-March: Mentoring and enrichment; April: Local competitions; April-July: National prep; July: National competition held during NAACP National Convention

Cost

Free to participate (no application fee mentioned)

What Judges Look For

• Technical skill and mastery in chosen category
• Creativity and originality of work
• Overall quality and polish of project/performance
• Demonstrated academic and cultural achievement
• Ability to articulate vision and process
• Depth of engagement with the chosen field

Scoring

Gold medalists score between 95-100 in their category; this score determines advancement to national competition; specific detailed rubric not publicly disclosed

Common Mistakes

• Not starting preparation early enough in the year
• Underestimating the level of competition
• Selecting categories without genuine passion or skill
• Failing to fully utilize mentor relationships
• Inadequate technical preparation or practice
• Not thoroughly understanding category requirements

Acceptance Rate

Unknown - not published; however, local competitions in each region determine qualifiers

Applicants

Thousands annually across all local NAACP branches nationwide; exact number not publicly disclosed

Winners / Selected

Gold medalists from local competitions advance to nationals (typically dozens nationally); exact number varies by year

• Connect with your local NAACP branch EARLY (August) - don't wait to register
• Build a strong relationship with your mentor - they are crucial to your success over the full year
• Choose categories you are genuinely passionate about, not just what seems easiest
• Start working on your project/performance immediately in September to allow maximum refinement time
• Aim for 95+ scores locally - this is the threshold for national qualification
• Consider entering 2-3 categories strategically to maximize chances of earning gold in at least one
• Attend NAACP ACT-SO Unified & Unlimited Virtual Masterclasses for skill development
• Network with other participants - former winners cite community as crucial element
• Document your process and growth throughout the year, not just the final product
• Practice presentation/performance skills alongside technical skills in your category
• Seek feedback from judges and mentors at local competition to refine for nationals
• Understand that this is a full year commitment requiring consistent effort

How to Prepare

• Research the 32 available categories to identify 2-3 that align with your talents and interests
• Connect with your local NAACP branch in July-August before program kickoff
• Meet with your assigned volunteer mentor and establish regular meeting schedule (September)
• Get baseline instruction/assessment in your chosen category from your mentor
• Dedicate consistent time weekly to developing your project or performance (minimum 5-10 hours weekly estimated)
• Seek additional training beyond mentor (classes, coaches, online resources specific to your category)
• Attend NAACP ACT-SO masterclasses for skill-building workshops
• Create a timeline for your project/performance with specific milestones
• Practice, refine, and get feedback regularly from mentors and peers
• Record/document your work to review progress and identify areas for improvement
• Request mock judging before April local competition

Resources

• NAACP official website: naacp.org/our-work/youth-programs/act-so-achievement-program
• Contact ACT-SO directly: actso@naacpnet.org or (410) 580-5777
• Local NAACP branch - your primary entry point and ongoing support
• NAACP ACT-SO Unified & Unlimited Virtual Masterclass Series (official skill-building sessions)
• Category-specific resources (music teachers, art instructors, STEM mentors, etc. in your community)
• Online communities and forums dedicated to high school competitions
• Past competition videos/recordings if available from NAACP National Convention
• College prep resources (many winners use ACT-SO as college application strength)

Time Needed

One full year (August to July); consistent effort throughout; estimated 5-10+ hours per week depending on category and depth of engagement

Successful ACT-SO participants are passionate, dedicated high school students who engage deeply with their chosen categories over an entire year. Winners demonstrate not just technical skill but also intellectual curiosity, cultural pride, and commitment to excellence. Many are multi-talented (competing in 2-3 categories). Alumni frequently cite the program as transformative in their development; many go on to attend competitive colleges and pursue careers in their chosen fields. Winners often have strong mentorship relationships and are actively engaged in their local NAACP community.

ACT-SO is viewed very positively by college admissions officers, particularly at top-tier institutions. It demonstrates: (1) Long-term commitment and discipline through year-round participation, (2) Excellence in a specific field/talent, (3) Connection to cultural community and NAACP's mission, (4) Ability to work with mentors and receive feedback, (5) Balance across STEM, humanities, and arts. National-level qualification or gold medals carry significant weight. The program is particularly valued at colleges with strong diversity and inclusion missions. Alumni frequently cite ACT-SO as a key element that distinguished their college applications. It signals serious talent development and cultural engagement beyond grades and test scores.

• Harvard Summer College Programs for High School Students — Tier 3, summer program
• Brown Pre-Collegiate Program — Tier 3, summer program
• Harvard Summer School High School Programs — Tier 3, summer program
• ACT-SO Achievement Program (Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) — Tier 3, competition
• Harvard Summer School — Tier 3, summer program