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Scholar's Day 2026

Top scholars! Get recognized, build your network, and unlock scholarship opportunities all in one weekend!

Be honored alongside fellow top performing students and families at our largest event of the year! And receive your FREE honor medallion on stage in our hometown of Atlanta, Georgia!

  • Build your network at the onsite College and Career Fair 
  • Learn how to access $2.5M+ in scholarships
  • Have your resume and college essays reviewed
  • Snap a new picture at the "Headshot Lounge"

Learn more about all the benefits of NSHSS membership at this prestigious event and discover additional details below! 

August 7-8, 2026
Atlanta, Georgia - Loews Atlanta Hotel
Scholars Day

Where Top Scholars are Inspired & Empowered!

Check out what past event participants have to say about NSHSS events - for high achieving students ready to lead!

What is Scholar's Day?

Scholar's Day is NSHSS's signature conference! Over the years, NSHSS has hosted thousands of members, families, partners, and friends at Scholar's Day events in Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, GA. The first Scholar's Day was held in the US Senate in 2004! Senator Ted Kennedy sponsored NSHSS for the event to be held in the historic caucus room.

Over time, we outgrew the caucus room and eventually the largest room in the Senate! Scholar's Day moved on to be hosted at universities like Georgetown, George Washington, and Johns Hopkins, and then expanded to the Gaylord National Resort! Scholar's Day is now returning to Atlanta, GA, in the beautiful Loews Atlanta Hotel! 

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Exhibitor Convo 3
Carlos Speaks
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Social Media Takeovers Portrait
Exhibitor Convo 3
Carlos Speaks
Member Family 2 Landscape
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Social Media Takeovers Portrait
Exhibitor Convo 3
Carlos Speaks
Member Family 2 Landscape

Why Should You Attend Scholar's Day?

Consider all of these great take aways from participating in the Scholar's Day experience as an NSHSS Member or a Proud Parent!

Members, receive your FREE NSHSS honor medallion on the main stage during the signature NSHSS Member Recognition Ceremony! 

Proud Parents, cheer on your Scholar from the audience for memorable photo opportunities!

Practice making memorable impressions at the College and Career Fair or meeting some of your fellow NSHSS members!

Connect with members & parents alike to expand your NSHSS community of supportive peers and family members.

Speak with current industry professionals about the ever-changing workforce landscape awaiting your Scholar. Have your questions answered so you can best support your high-performing Scholar.

NSHSS shares over $2.5 million in annual scholarship opportunities! Learn how to access these funds and best practices to help you stand out from the applicant pool. 

Bring a hard copy of your resume and/or college essays to be reviewed and increase your chances of college acceptance!

Engage with fellow Proud Parents around holistically supporting your high-performing Scholars, navigating opportunities, and supporting their aspirations.

Earn volunteer hours by serving as a volunteer during Scholar's Day! Assist NSHSS staff with event execution onsite at the event. 

At Scholar's Day, learn more about all of the benefits of NSHSS membership

Including access to an extensive network of university, educational, and corporate partners,leadership development groups, and

$0+

in scholarship opportunities yearly

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fellow NSHSS members in your lifetime network

Scholar's Day Program Overview

Friday

August 7, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM ET

Check-In & On-site Registration

College & Career Fair

Interactive Resource Spaces

Welcome Reception

Conference Kick-Off

Educational Sessions

NSHSS Member Party!

Interactive Parent Panel Discussion 

August 8, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET

Registration & Info Desk

Networking Continental Breakfast

College & Career Fair

Breakout Sessions

LIVE Podcast Recording!

Scholarship Presentations and Future Focused Panels

Activation Rooms

Performances & Presentations

Award Presentations 

Member Recognition Ceremony

Agenda Highlights

Future Focused Panel

Saturday

“The Valuable Human: Important Skills AI Will Never Replace”

Highly esteemed professionals will share advice and experiences from their personal lives and professional careers relating to the theme and answer your questions!

AI will keep getting faster and more convenient—but the skills thatmake youa strong leader and atrustedteammate are deeply human. In this paneldiscussion, explore themindset AI’t replicate—character, empathy, ethical judgment,andresilience—and how to build them now for college, careers, and life.Leave with practical ways to strengthen your “human advantage” in an AI-powered world.

College & Career Fair

Friday & Saturday

Meet and explore opportunities alongside corporate, educational, and government leaders representing renowned organizations and universities worldwide. Learn about college application or test preparation, discover scholarship and internship opportunities, and gather valuable resources from our exhibitors!

View the exhibitor list below!

NSHSS Member Party

Friday

Get to know your fellow NSHSS members with ice-breaker activities, games, and a dance party at the end of Friday! Enjoy some sweet treats and music while you dance the night away with your new friends!

Proud Parent Discussion Panel

Friday

“Holistic Support of Your High-Performing Scholar”

High-achieving students often carry heavy academic, extracurricular, and personal expectations. In this panel, educators, fellow NSHSS Proud Parents, and youth mental health service professionals will share practical strategies to help top performers thrive. Key points include: supporting motivation, time management, wellbeing, and healthy identity beyond grades. Join for real-world tips on balancing challenge with rest, recognizing stress and burnout, and building a supportive home environment during the high school and college-prep years.

Live Podcast Recording

Saturday

"The Art of the Pivot: Resilience in Changing Times" 

In an era of rapid technological change, the most successful leaders aren't the ones with all the answers - they are the ones who know how to pivot and who they can turn to when the path gets blurry.

Participate in Q&A in the live audience for this podcast recording!

Scholarship Winners Panel

Saturday

Hear "Tips and Tricks" from NSHSS Scholarship Winners as they discuss applying for scholarships, standing out in the application process, and finding scholarships that fit their goals. The session will also feature a live Q&A to answer all of your questions!

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College & Career Fair Exhibitors

Featured Scholar's Day Performers!

  • GT Dragon Flyers

*Additional performers to be added. Check back often for updates!

Recommended Hotel & Parking

NSHSS has secured a discounted room block at the Loews Midtown Atlanta Hotel, the event venue.

Self-Parking is available on-site at the hotel for a discounted rate of $15 per day. Valet parking is also available for an additional fee. 

*A limited number of rooms are available; first-come, first-served. Please register for the event before booking any travel or accommodations. Attendees are responsible for securing their own hotel accommodations, airfare, and parking arrangements. Attendees are also responsible for their own ground transportation for getting to and from the event location while in Atlanta. 
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Additional Nearby Hotel Options

Each of these additional hotels are within 10-15 minute walking distance or a 5 minute car ride to the event venue. 

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Additional Nearby Hotel Options

Each of these additional hotels are within 10-15 minute walking distance or a 5 minute car ride to the event venue. 

Residence Inn by Marriott Atlanta Midtown/GA Tech
Attendees may make reservations online with this booking link or call the hotel directly at 404-872-8885. When making reservations, reference the Group Code: NSHSS Group
Book BEFORE: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Hyatt Centric Midtown Atlanta
Attendees may make reservations online with this booking link or call the hotel directly at 404-443-1234. When making reservations, reference the Group Code: G-NSH8
Book BEFORE: Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Thank you to our event sponsors!

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Volunteering at Scholar's Day

At NSHSS, we believe in the power of action and the positive impact we can make together. How about volunteering during our events? 

In addition to earning volunteer service hours, volunteering at our events will help you gain valuable skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and organization. These skills will be useful in your academic and professional life, allowing you to excel and develop further.

Don't miss the opportunity to make a real difference and be part of the change. Join us as a volunteer during Scholar's Day and be an agent of transformation at NSHSS. A link to the volunteer interest form will be included in your registration confirmation email!

Scholar's Day FAQs

NSHSS Scholars Day is the National Society of High School Scholars' signature annual gathering — a 2-day conference that brings together several hundred of the country's highest-achieving high school students, their families, college and university representatives, and civic and corporate leaders. First held in the United States Senate building in 2004, the event has grown into one of the most substantive gatherings of academically exceptional young people in the country. The 2026 edition will be held August 7–8 at the Loews Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia — NSHSS's hometown — and will feature educational workshops, a College and Career Fair, scholarship sessions, and the signature Member Recognition Ceremony in which scholars are honored on stage for their academic achievements.

 

Each attendee is responsible for their own accommodations and transportation arrangements. NSHSS does not assist with airfare, ground transportation, nor hotels; however, we do provide a discounted hotel room block. See details above.

NSHSS will provide light hors d'oeuvres during the Friday welcome reception, breakfast on Saturday morning, and occasional treats throughout the event. Be sure to plan to provide your own meals otherwise. There are plenty of excellent restaurants surrounding the venue! NSHSS will share info about nearby eateries onsite.

Scholar's Day 
VS.
Member Event
A 2-day conference experience;
hosted at a hotel venue
A 1-day engagement experience; hosted on top college campuses
Features a separate Proud Parent Session& Member Party
A full day experience shared by both members & parents for all sessions
Features smaller breakout sessions in addition to main stage happenings
Features one main stage for all informational sessions
The largest signature event of
the year for NSHSS
Event size varies between campuses for NSHSS
Features an on-site store to purchase NSHSS swag, along with giveaways and a free member swag bag
NSHSS merchandise is not sold onsite at member events; however, giveaways are always distributed
Features a Welcome Reception, Continental Breakfast, and other surprise snacks
Features a Continental Breakfast
Receive academic advice, personalized counsel, have a professional headshot taken onsite, and walk away having had your resume or essay reviewed
More insightful advice and inspiration from accomplished speakers and partners
Be honored at the NSHSS Signature Member Recognition Ceremony on a grand stage!
Be honored at the NSHSS Signature Member Recognition Ceremony!

Yes! To be admitted to Scholar's Day, each member, parent, or guest must in order to attend.

Scholar's Day tickets are only sold as a 2-day ticket package, but it is not mandatory to attend both days. Most of the programming, educational sessions, and the Member Recognition Ceremony will be on Saturday, so you won't miss it! Registration will be open Saturday morning as well for those that do not wish to/cannot attend on Friday. Saturday, we will also begin with a complimentary continental breakfast and the onsite College & Career Fair will continue into Saturday as well! 

If you are no longer able to attend, you can transfer your registration to another event via your Eventbrite account until the day before the event date. On the day of the event and beyond, registration transfers are no longer allowed in the Eventbrite system, and transferring to another event will no longer be an option.


Up to 15 days before the event starts, attendees can request automatic refunds in full back to their original payment method directly through their Eventbrite account.


Refunds to the original payment method will be issued in full for refund requests received up to 15 days before the event starts. After submitting your refund request in writing by email to rsvp@nshss.org, please allow up to five (5) business days to process your refund request. After 14 days before the event starts, no refunds will be issued. All further sales are non-refundable.


This event will take place rain or shine. If the event is rescheduled, all purchases will be honored for the rescheduled event date or may be refunded on a case-by-case basis. If the event is canceled, all purchases will be refunded in full.

Ready to meet top NSHSS talent at Scholar's Day?

Exhibitor information/FAQ:

Exhibitor Agenda: Friday, August 7, 2026

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Exhibitor Set-up

3:00 PM - 6:00 PM: College & Career Fair Open

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Exhibitor Close-out (please close tables and take any valuable items or see any NSHSS staff member to have items locked away until Saturday)

Exhibitor Agenda: Saturday, August 8, 2026

7:15 AM - 8:00 AM: Storage Room open with NSHSS staff member to retrieve exhibitor items

8:00 AM - 2:00 PM: College & Career Fair Open

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Exhibitor Move-out

Level C, Floor 14

Main Stage (exhibitors who are also speaking will present here): Ellington Ballroom (Level C, Floor 14)

Exhibitor Space: Ellington Ballroom Pre-Function & Terrace (adjacent hallway)

All exhibitors can use the room block listed above; we do not have separate room blocks for exhibitors. 

For shipping, we ask that packages arrive no sooner than August 2, 2026
Please have all packages addressed the following way:

Loews Atlanta Hotel

Attn: Hanna Bates

1065 Peachtree Street NE 

Atlanta, GA 30309

Hold for: NSHSS Scholars Day

There is no loading/unloading in the valet area of the Loews Hotel.

The “1065” Loading Dock is located between 12th & 11th Streets on Juniper. The entrance to the loading dock is on Juniper St toward 11th St. Proceed south from 12th St. on Juniper (one way) and turn right into the dock entrance before you get to 11th street.

Proceed down the ramp to the main dock area and check in with Loews Security upon arrival. This will be found on your right hand side at the top of the ramp.

Parking for unloading can be found outside of the Security Office for Loews. There are only two spots at our loading dock. 12’6” Maximum height to enter the loading dock. (the entrance to the loading dock is only 13 feet high) All vendors must sign in and have their temperature taken with our Security Office to be allowed inside the hotel.

Inside Loews: Enter inside loading dock area and make a left, then another left to get to the freight elevators (there are 2). Take the freight elevators to the “C” level and exit elevators left into the kitchen area and then left again into conference/ballroom area. Loading or unloading should only require one of our service elevators, since our staff needs to have at least one of these operating during this time.

After unloading you will need to park your vehicle either in the AAA self-park garage or some other location that you have pre-arranged. Please note that the height of the self-parking garage is 6’ 7”. If your vehicle does not fit in this self-parking garage you will need to find alternate parking outside of the hotel.

Loews Atlanta Parking Instructions:

Both self and valet parking are available. We typically encourage self-parking if guests are able. While we have staff prepared and ready for arrivals and departures, it is a faster process for guests to get into and out of the hotel if they self-park.

Self-Parking Instructions:

For those self-parking, Enter Parking Garage on 11th street between Peachtree & Juniper and take parking ticket at gate. Proceed up the ramp towards Office & Hotel Parking. Proceed to level P6 or Higher. Follow Signs to LOEWS HOTEL for elevator entrance to the hotel.

Go up to level “C” and once you get off the elevators, you will find directional signage labeled with the event name that will lead you to the correct function space.

Self Parking Costs: $18 Per Vehicle, Per Day

All outstanding exhibitor fees will need to be paid before the event. Failure to complete payment may result in removal from the exhibit hall. 

  • List of registrant information who have opted in to share
  • Table
  • 2 chairs
  • shared waste basket

We require pre-registration for our exhibit hall. If you arrive without registering, we may not have a booth available.