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Celebrate Your Student’s Voice in the K12 Writing Competition

Encourage your student to share their stories, poems, and experiences in the first-ever K12 Writing Competition. Exciting prizes, publication opportunities, and a chance to grow as a young writer await!

Smiling person with curly hair writing in a yellow notebook, surrounded by playful graphics like a paper airplane and pencil on a purple background.

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Does your student love to tell stories, write poems, or capture real-life moments on paper? It’s their moment to be heard! The first-ever K12 Writing Competition gives students at K12-powered schools a chance to share their creativity, express themselves, and see their words celebrated.

Whether your child enjoys crafting heartfelt poems, spinning imaginative tales, or reflecting on authentic experiences, this competition is the perfect place for their stories to come alive.

What is the K12 Writing Competition?

The K12 Writing Competition is all about celebrating imagination, storytelling, and the power of words. Students can enter one—or all—of these exciting categories:

  • Poetry: A place for rhythm, emotion, and creative expression.
  • Fiction: A chance to bring characters and new worlds to life.
  • Nonfiction: An opportunity to share true stories, lessons, and experiences that matter.

With word limits set for every grade, this contest welcomes all writers—from beginners to seasoned storytellers.

Winning words—and prizes!

Every story deserves to be celebrated! Top entries in each grade level and category will earn:

  • 1st Place: $250
  • 2nd Place: $100
  • People’s Choice Award (one winner per grade): $50

And here’s the best part—winning works will be published in the official K12 Writers Collection! It’s a lasting keepsake your student will be proud to share for years to come.

Important Dates to Know

  • Entries Open: Now through January 20, 2026
  • Public Voting: January 21–February 20, 2026
  • Winners Announced: March 11, 2026

How to enter—get “write” to it!

Ready to help your student take the first step? Head to enrichment.K12.com/writing-competition.

Follow the easy on-screen instructions to register and submit your student’s entry. Be sure to check the word limits for their grade level and category. Once registered, you’ll receive an invitation to join a special writing space inside the K12 Zone.

A Creative Space Just for Writers

Every student who enters gains access to Strider’s Writers, an exclusive community in the K12 Zone where young authors can:

  • Share ideas and stories with other writers
  • Receive friendly feedback and inspiration
  • Enjoy word games and creative prompts
  • Write in a cozy, distraction-free online space

(We ask that students check with a parent or guardian before joining the Strider’s Writers online community.)

Why enter?

The K12 Writing Competition is more than just a contest—it’s a confidence builder. It’s a way for your student to find their voice, grow their skills, and connect with other young writers across the country.

Every story matters—and every student has one worth telling.

Your Student’s Story Starts Here

Encourage your student to enter today and watch their creativity take flight. Visit enrichment.K12.com/writing-competition to learn more and submit their work.

This could be where your student’s story begins.