U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today congratulated the 2018 President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) recipients, recognizing nearly 3 million elementary, middle and high school graduates on their educational accomplishments.

The students come from more than 30,000 public, private and military schools from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Outlying Areas – American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands – and American military bases abroad.

“I am honored to join the President, your community and your school in recognizing you with the 2018 award,” Secretary DeVos wrote in a congratulatory letter to each recipient.  “As we celebrate this accomplishment, I also encourage you to continue on the path that led to your selection. Education is a lifelong process of learning and discovery that offers unlimited rewards for those that thirst for knowledge and are willing to work hard. By setting standards for yourself, by utilizing the educational opportunities before you and by diligently striving to reach your goals, you are well on your way towards reaping those rewards.”

PEAP was founded in 1983. Every year since then, the program has provided the nation’s schools with the opportunity to recognize graduating students who meet high standards of academic excellence and those who have given their best effort, often overcoming obstacles to their learning.

Each year, eligible graduating K-12 students are selected by their school principal for recognition in two categories.

The President’s Award for Educational Excellence - This award recognizes academic success in the classroom. To be eligible, students must meet requirements, including grade point average or other school-set criteria and choice of state tests or teacher recommendations.

The President’s Award for Educational Achievement - This award recognizes students that show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment or intellectual development in their academic subjects but do not meet the criteria for the Educational Excellence Award. Its purpose is to encourage and reward students who give their best effort, often in the face of special obstacles. Criterion for this award is developed at each school.

Individual recognition is bestowed by the President and the U.S. Secretary of Education, in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The award includes a congratulatory letter to the student and certificate signed by the President, the Secretary and the school principal.

Unlike other awards programs, the principal has sole discretion in choosing recipients based on eligibility. There is no limit on the number of awards, as long as students meet the criteria for each award set by the school.

A list of 2018 President’s Education Awards participating schools by state and territory is available here.