Sponsored by Edmentum. Flexible Learning Paths. Proven Outcomes. Future-Ready Students.
Basic details of the 2026 Contest are listed out below. For full details, including the judging rubric, please view the full contest document here.
Contest Overview
- Theme: Ready, Set, Rural: Creating Opportunities Everywhere
- Purpose: This essay contest strives to celebrate rural communities through student expression and promote awareness of rural education issues in an effort to advocate for rural places.
- Target Groups:
- Elementary (Grades K–4) – Written response to a rural-themed picture book
- Middle School (Grades 5–8) – Essay responding to a published article on rural issues
- High School (Grades 9–12) – Video storytelling reflecting on this year’s rural theme
- Extended Description for Contest Materials: Rural communities are full of creativity, resilience, and unique opportunities. Through this contest, students will share their perspectives on rural life, the importance of education in rural areas, and ideas for creating opportunities that can make a difference locally or nationally.
Logistics and Administration
- Submission Window: All submissions should be submitted no later than midnight on May 31, 2026. Winners, teachers, and schools will be contacted in August 2026.
- How to Submit: Submissions will be accepted via the National Rural Education Association Foundation’s email at nreafoundation@gmail.com
- Permissions: Media release forms for photos/videos of minors (see below) must be submitted digitally with entries.
Judging and Awards
- Judging Panel: Educators, rural leaders, authors, media professionals.
- Scoring Rubrics: Customized for each age group (see below)
- Awards: Certificates, publication with the National Rural Education Association as well as the Foundation, rural education swag, and monetary awards (sponsored by Edmentum) as follows:
- Elementary Winner: $200.00
- Elementary Runner-Up: $100.00
- Middle School Winner: $300.00
- Middle School Runner-Up: $100.00
- High School Winner: $500.00
- High School Runner-Up: $200.00
Wrap-Up and Follow-Up
- Winners Announced: August, 2026
- Celebration and Showcase at the National Forum to Advance Rural Education: San Antonio, Texas, October 19–21, 2026
- Yearly Archive and Contest Anthology
