Principal Newsletter: Announcing National Merit Scholars and Semifinalists
National Merit Semifinalist recognition is one of the highest academic distinctions a high school student can receive. How you announce it in your newsletter says a lot about your school's relationship with academic achievement.
Why timing matters
Announcements in September, when results come out, carry full weight. An announcement in October that feels like an afterthought sends the wrong signal. Students and families who have waited months for PSAT results deserve prompt recognition.
Send the newsletter within five school days of the official announcement. If you have multiple semifinalists, send one newsletter for all of them rather than staggered individual announcements.
What to say and how to say it
Name the students. Explain briefly what National Merit means for families who may not be familiar: approximately 16,000 students nationally are named semifinalists based on PSAT scores, and a subset advance to finalist status and scholarship consideration. This context makes the achievement land for families who are not already tracking the program.
Add a sentence about the school's academic preparation: the rigor of AP and honors coursework that supports this kind of performance. Make it a school moment, not only a student moment.
Connecting to broader academic recognition culture
National Merit is one of the most prestigious academic recognitions, but it is not the only one worth covering in your newsletter. Make it part of a broader practice of recognizing academic achievement: AP scholars, dual enrollment completers, research award winners, and internship placements.
Privacy considerations
Always confirm with the student and family before publishing any recognition that names a minor. Most families are proud and happy to share. Some are not. A two-minute check prevents a problem that FERPA is not going to protect you from.
Following finalists through the process
If a semifinalist advances to finalist status in February and ultimately wins a scholarship, follow that story in subsequent newsletters. It is a multi-act story and your school community wants to follow it.
Supporting students who just missed the cutoff
National Merit cutoffs vary by state and can be frustratingly close. A student who scored one point below the cutoff after years of rigorous coursework deserves acknowledgment too. Consider a separate recognition for all students who earned a Commended Student designation or for your school's top PSAT performers.
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Frequently asked questions
When do National Merit Semifinalist results come out and when should the principal newsletter be sent?
NMSC announces semifinalists in September of the student's senior year. Send a newsletter within the first week of the announcement. Families and students have waited for this result, and prompt recognition signals the school values academic achievement.
What should a principal include in a National Merit recognition newsletter?
The student's name, their intended area of study if they want to share it, a brief explanation of what National Merit means, and a note of congratulations from you as principal. Keep it warm and specific, not generic.
How does National Merit recognition support school culture?
When you recognize academic achievement publicly in the newsletter the same way you recognize athletic wins, you signal to the whole school community that academic excellence is a school value. Students who see peers recognized for academics are more motivated to pursue those achievements themselves.
How should a principal handle a student who does not want to be publicly recognized?
Ask first. Before publishing the name, confirm the student and family are comfortable with a public announcement. Some students prefer privacy. Honor that. A name left out because the student asked is far less of a problem than a name published without permission.
How can newsletters support college-going culture at the high school?
Daystage principals at high schools send a regular college success newsletter throughout senior year, covering scholarships, early decision results, and commitments. National Merit recognition is part of that broader narrative about where your graduates go and what they achieve.
Adi Ackerman
Author
Adi Ackerman is a former classroom teacher and curriculum writer with 8 years in K-8 schools. She writes about school communication, parent engagement, and what actually works in real classrooms.
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