Distinguished Christian High School Student Award
The ACSI Distinguished Christian High School Student Award (DCHSS) provides an opportunity for ACSI member schools to honor outstanding high school students for their achievements in Academics, Leadership, Performing and Fine Arts, Athletics, and Christian Service. As one of ACSI’s longest-running member benefit programs, DCHSS recognizes students in their sophomore, junior, and senior years.
DCHSS also provides schools with opportunities for communication from ACSI member colleges and universities about their programs, scholarship packages, and other financial support to help equip students to fulfill God’s calling in their lives.
Student Nomination Process
Beginning in late fall 2026, schools may use the link below to complete the DCHSS nomination form. Add each student your school would like to nominate and select the appropriate award category.
Nomination Limits
A school may nominate up to 20% of the students in each of its sophomore, junior, and senior classes (10th, 11th, and 12th grades) for each award category. For classes with fewer than 50 students, a school may nominate up to 10 students from that class for each category for which they meet the criteria.
Each student may be nominated for all applicable award categories.
Students may receive awards in multiple categories. If a student is nominated for more than one award, add the student to the form once for each award category and select the appropriate category each time.
Before submitting your nominations, review the student names and award categories to make sure all information is correct. Once you submit the form, the ACSI Student Leadership & Learning Team will review your nominations.
Once your nominations are approved, your email confirmation will include:
- Printable PDF files of the award certificates with student names and award categories populated
- Access to graphics to help you recognize your students
- A link to return to your nomination form if you need to correct an error or add additional students
2026-27 Nominations Open Late Fall 2026
Award Categories & Criteria
Academics
The student must be maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher and meeting the school’s graduation requirements.
Leadership
The student must be actively involved in some type of community service. You do not need to list the student’s service activity on the form.
Performing & Fine Arts
The student must actively participate in school activities such as band, choir, drama, music, and art.
Athletics
The student must be actively participating in school team/individual sports and/or intramural sports.
Christian Service
The student must have a clear Christian service record and Christian testimony and be actively involved in a ministry-related activity. However, you do not need to list the student’s ministry activity on the form.
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