Katy ISD Students Shine in Record-Breaking College Board National Recognition Year
KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
October 7, 2026
By Natalie Cook Clark
The College Board National Recognition experienced its highest participation year to date and Katy ISD students delivered a strong showing with nearly 2,000 making the list.
Katy ISD students continue to show they are among the top in the Nation with 1,926 students from all 10 District high schools earning academic honors through the College Board National Recognition Program.
In a record-breaking year for the program, competition was intense and more than 300,000 recipients were named.
“Our students have been recognized for their dedication and excellence, and we’re so proud of them,” says Katy ISD Advanced Academics Director Danielle Sanchez. “This honor reinforces their exceptional achievements in high school and will support them in their pursuit of a big future.”
The College Board National Recognition Program, available through BigFuture, recognizes student achievement through three academic awards: the First-Generation Recognition Award, Rural and Small-Town Recognition Award and the School Recognition Award.
Among other benchmarks, eligible, sophomore and junior students must earn a cumulative GPA of B+ or higher and score a three or higher on two or more AP Exams by the end of 10th grade, rank among the top 10% of test takers at their high school and other criteria.
National Recognition Program awardees can connect with colleges, universities and scholarship organizations seeking students who have demonstrated academic success. Students who opt in to the College Board Student Search Service can receive information about participating institutions and programs.
