Garland ISD proudly celebrates the outstanding achievements of 231 students from our seven high schools, who have been honored with prestigious awards from the College Board National Recognition Programs.

In August 2024, the College Board recognized thousands of students nationwide for their exceptional academic performance through its annual National Recognition Programs. These awards honor underrepresented students who excel academically on College Board assessments like the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and AP® Exams. For many students, these awards not only bring pride to their school communities but also open doors to future opportunities, as colleges actively recruit awardees through the College Board’s Student Search Service.

This year marks an exciting expansion of the program, with the College Board now recognizing first-generation students alongside rural and small-town, Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic/Latino students. By highlighting the academic excellence of these students, the National Recognition Programs help nonprofit colleges and scholarship providers connect with talented students from diverse backgrounds.

Eligible students must meet the following criteria to qualify:

• Earn a GPA of at least 3.3 (B+ or 87%-89%).
• Score in the top 10% on PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessments or score three or higher on two or more AP Exams by the end of 10th grade.
• Attend school in a rural or small-town area, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, or a first-generation college student.

For the first time, over 35,000 students nationwide received the inaugural National First-Generation Recognition Program Award, with the total number of honorees for all programs growing to more than 90,000. These academic honors not only celebrate the achievements of deserving students but also create new pathways to higher education.

Garland ISD is incredibly proud of our students' hard work and dedication, and we look forward to seeing how these honors shape their bright futures.