The class of 2026 at Florida Atlantic University High School continues to exemplify outstanding academic achievements, with 23 seniors named as National Merit Scholar semifinalists, and 43 designated as “commended students.”

The class of 2026 at Florida Atlantic University High School continues to exemplify outstanding academic achievements, with 23 seniors named as National Merit Scholar semifinalists, and 43 designated as “commended students.”

These 66 students make up 38% of the 2026 graduating class – and the 23 semifinalists represent less than 1% of the nation’s high school graduating seniors (a pool of more than 1.3 million). Additionally, 22% of this group qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and 10 are first-generation college students.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for achieving such extraordinary recognition in the National Merit Scholarship Competition,” said Lauren Robinson, Ed.D., principal of A.D. Henderson University School and FAU High School. “These results reflect not only their talent and dedication but also the strength of the innovative learning environment we’ve built at Florida Atlantic University High School. Our students continually rise to the challenge, balancing rigorous academics, research and early college experiences while demonstrating what’s possible when curiosity meets opportunity.”

These students join the 22 semifinalists and 29 commended students from 2025. The semifinalists now have the opportunity to advance to the finalist level of the competition and the Merit Scholarship awards.

The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual academic competition among high school students for recognition and college undergraduate scholarships that began in 1955. The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance.

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