82 Idaho Students Named U.S. Presidential Scholars Candidates

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Eighty-two Idaho students have been named candidates for the U.S. Department of Education's prestigious Presidential Scholars Program. The state superintendent selects candidates who have demonstrated excellence in academics, arts or career-technical education. Nationwide, up to 161 students will be chosen as Presidential Scholars, with one male and one female student typically selected per state.

Why it matters

The Presidential Scholars Program honors some of the nation's most distinguished high school seniors, recognizing their accomplishments and potential to become future leaders. Being named a candidate is a significant achievement that can open doors for these Idaho students in terms of college admissions, scholarships, and other opportunities.

The details

The list of Idaho candidates includes students from 32 different high schools across the state, representing a diverse range of academic and extracurricular achievements. The U.S. Department of Education will review the candidates and announce the final list of Presidential Scholars, usually one male and one female per state, in the summer.

• The state superintendent chose the candidates in March 2026.
• The U.S. Department of Education will announce the final list of Presidential Scholars in the summer of 2026.

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Education will review the candidates and announce the final list of Presidential Scholars, typically one male and one female student per state, in the summer of 2026.