Office of Educational Services & Support

Opportunities for Students

NOTE: Presentation of any particular curriculum does not constitute endorsement, approval or recommendation for adoption of that curriculum. All selection of curricular programs or items should be made by local school boards or administrators.

• The AXA Achievement Scholarship  in association with U.S. News & World Report is managed by Scholarship America and provides $670,000 in annual scholarships to youth throughout the nation.

• Foundations for Life: This is an essay contest sponsored by Character Counts.  (Grades 4, 7 and 9)

• Kids are Authors:This is a contest for young people interested in writing. (Grades K-8)

• USA Freedom Corp:This has suggestions for things that kids and youth can do for service projects.

• After School Scene  After School Scene was created a part of an effort to involve youth in shaping after school programs and to share the creative work that youth are doing after school with youth and after school programs across America. (Ages 4-12)

• Caring Institute: The Caring Institute is now accepting nominations for the Caring Award for individuals from 9 to 99 years old. The criteria are simple. Tell us about someone, in at least 500 words, who best personifies caring, and would be a worthy role model to be
  emulated by others.

• South Dakota Scholarship Opportunities: This site has links to the following scholarships:  Dakota Corp; Hagen-Harvey; Robert C. Byrd; SD Opportunity; U.S. Senate Youth Program; Gates Millennium; Jesse Brown; and Society for Range Management Masonic-Range Science Scholarship.

• Congress for Kids: This page gives access to interactive, experiences designed for young people to learn about the foundation of the federal government and how its actions affect us.

• Kids in the House:This site provides legislative and historical information about the U.S. House of Representatives.  It is targeted to a middle-school audience.

• Kid’s Castle: A kids’ e-zine where children can play games, read articles, post messages and find fascinating facts and photos.  Produced by Smithsonian Magazine.

• Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Grants: Take out this reference – Page does not link, and I can’t find another    

• Youth Leaders for Literacy:   is an initiative of the National Education Association (NEA) and Youth Services America (YSA) to help direct the enthusiasm and creativity of youth into reading-related service opportunities.