2026-2027 Poetry Out Loud Competition Open for High School Students

Washington, DC—Poetry Out Loud®, an arts education initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts, will commence for the 2026-2027 school year, inviting high school students nationwide to participate in a poetry recitation competition. The program is designed to enhance public speaking skills, build confidence, and educate students on literary history and contemporary themes.

Schools and organizations can access free educational resources, including a poetry anthology, at PoetryOutLoud.org. They are encouraged to contact their state coordinator to register for the competition. Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, stated that participants often report significant benefits, including improved language connection and the ability to express complex ideas with confidence.

Since its inception in 2005, Poetry Out Loud has engaged over 4.6 million students and 89,000 teachers across 22,000 schools in the United States. The competition begins at the local level within classrooms or schools, where students choose, memorize, and recite poems from the anthology. Winners can advance to regional and state levels, ultimately reaching the National Finals, where $50,000 in prizes and stipends are awarded, including a $20,000 prize for the National Champion. The 2027 National Finals are scheduled for April 27-28, 2027, in Washington, DC.

The National Endowment for the Arts has found that students involved in Poetry Out Loud exhibit enhanced writing and analytical skills, increased self-confidence, and a broader perspective on various situations through poetry. This initiative not only benefits individual students but also fosters community and strengthens relationships between teachers and students, promoting connections among peers.

To register for the upcoming program, schools and organizations should reach out to their state arts agency. All high school types, including public, private, parochial, independent, charter, and homeschool institutions, are welcome to participate. Non-school organizations, such as libraries, after-school clubs, and nonprofits, can also run Poetry Out Loud. Students not affiliated with a participating school are encouraged to contact their state Poetry Out Loud coordinator for alternative participation options.