Competitions We Prepare Students For
Scholastic Writing Awards
One of the most recognized platforms for young writers in the country.
What students work on:
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Selecting a category — short story, personal essay, poetry, or flash fiction — that fits their strengths
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Developing an original piece from first draft through final polish
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Sharpening voice, structure, and detail to meet national judging standards
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Preparing a submission-ready piece before regional deadlines
Great fit if: your student has a specific piece of fiction, poetry, or personal writing they want to develop and submit at a national level.
YoungArts Writing
A national arts recognition program open to literary and creative writers.
What students work on:
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Building a portfolio of work that reflects a consistent voice and point of view
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Refining pieces across the genres YoungArts accepts, from creative nonfiction to poetry
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Preparing application materials alongside the writing itself
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Getting outside feedback to strengthen a piece before it's finalized
Great fit if: your student is a serious creative writer looking for recognition beyond the classroom, with an existing body of work to build from.
New York Times Competitions
Contemporary, real-world writing contests for student voices.
What students work on:
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Engaging with current events, personal experience, or persuasive argument, depending on the specific contest
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Structuring a piece for a general public audience, not just an academic one
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Practicing concise, high-impact writing within tight word limits
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Revising for clarity and a distinct point of view
Great fit if: your student writes best when responding to real issues and wants practice writing for a wide audience, not just teachers.
Academic Writing Competitions
Essay competitions that reward rigorous argument and original thinking.
What students work on:
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Building a thesis-driven essay with clear structure and evidence
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Practicing the kind of sustained argumentation these competitions reward
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Researching and citing sources to support an original position
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Revising for precision, logic, and academic tone
Great fit if: your student enjoys debate-style thinking and wants to develop a substantive, research-backed essay rather than a personal narrative.
Speech & Debate Competitions
Coaching for competitive speech and debate formats.
What students work on:
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Building and organizing arguments for their specific event or format
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Practicing delivery — pacing, tone, and presence — under competition conditions
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Responding to counterarguments and thinking on their feet
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Refining a case or speech through repeated practice rounds
Great fit if: your student thinks well on their feet and wants to build confidence speaking and arguing in front of an audience.
A stronger foundation in English
Academic competition experience gives students something a transcript can't: proof that they can generate an original idea, shape it under real constraints, and put it in front of outside judges. At Achieve Academy, our academic competition coaching pairs each student with a program suited to their interests and grade level, whether that's short fiction, personal essay, persuasive argument, or live speech.
4 Programs
SAT, ACT, AP, SSAT
48 Hours
Per program
80-85%
Of students hit their target score
Writing Competition Coaching for High School Students
Coaching for the country's most respected writing and speech competitions — helping students turn strong ideas into standout submissions.