The U.S. Department of Education has named 161 students to the 2026 class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, and Nebraska had five high school seniors among those honored, the department announced Tuesday.
Who the program recognizes
The Presidential Scholars program recognizes high-achieving students for academic success, artistic excellence and accomplishments in career and technical education. This year’s cohort includes students chosen from each state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and families living abroad, plus at-large selections, arts scholars and career and technical education scholars.
- 161 students were named Presidential Scholars nationwide.
- Selections include two scholars from each state and Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and families living abroad, plus 15 at-large scholars, 20 arts scholars and 20 career and technical education scholars.
- Nebraska’s delegation included five high school seniors, with two recognized in career and technical education and one recognized in the arts; the remaining Nebraska honorees were named among the at-large scholars.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued congratulatory remarks to the scholars and their communities.
“These students represent the exceptional caliber of character and intellect that our nation’s future demands,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “On behalf of President Trump, I congratulate each Scholar who never gave up, the families who believed in them, and the communities who guided them. As you forge your next paths, continue to aim higher, leverage your extraordinary talents, and boldly assume your responsibilities as leaders.”
Program makeup and selection categories
The Presidential Scholars program annually recognizes students in three main categories: general academic achievement, the arts and career and technical education. The arts component honors students for artistic excellence through a separate selection process administered in partnership with the National YoungArts Foundation. Career and technical education scholars are selected based on outstanding accomplishments in CTE fields.
Federal education officials release the full roster of scholars and their program categories; the department’s announcement includes the national totals and the breakdown of selections by category. The recognition is one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students and highlights a mix of academic, artistic and technical accomplishment.
State and local school leaders typically mark the selections with local announcements and recognition events. The Department of Education’s presidential scholars list is a public record and is posted by the department as part of its annual announcement.
