Honor Your Students’ Achievements With Academic Awards

You may not realize this, but awards and recognition go a long way. It can especially have an impact on young pupils’ self-esteem and mental well-being. By starting an awards program that gives academic awards and other individual honours, you are creating a positive atmosphere for students to flourish.

Why You Should Award Students

Each school has its own culture. By setting up an award system, you encourage the behaviour and attitudes you want to see in students. Recognizing things like good work ethic, perseverance, helpfulness, and zest for learning helps build a sense of community. It creates an ideal environment that is fosters learning and achievement. In essence, meaningful honours can do wonders on students’ overall mental wellness.

How to Build a Rewards Program For Students

As mentioned above a rewards program cultivates a culture that inspires students always to do their best. Usually, individual honours and academic rewards are given to valedictorians, honour students, or class presidents. These types of awards have been around for ages and are established traditions.

However, you can create your own unique awards that recognize students’ achievements — no matter how small.

You can also allow peers to nominate their classmates for awards. Peer recognition is a great way to boost students’ self-esteem and encourage inclusion.

Here are some other ways you could create a meaningful awards program:

• Set rules and conditions for each award.

• Establish criteria for the selection process.

• Set up the time frame for entries and procedures like voting.

• Plan a budget for purchasing award medals, ribbons, and trophies.

• Establish an organization that recognizes students for academic achievements, athletic performance, dedication, improvement, leadership, and community contributions

• Communicate the significance of the award before the award ceremony — this increases the award’s prestige and credibility.

• Decide what type of awards will be given for each honour.

• Invite parents, guardians, and the local community to the awards ceremony.

• Award students with custom awards and other special mementos.

Award Category Ideas

Here are some award category ideas you can choose to implement in your student awards program.

Academic Awards

These types of awards are traditional and should be included in your awards program. Some examples of academic awards are, valedictorian, Dean’s list, honour roll, and most improved in a specific subject. The kinds of academic awards don’t end here. Feel free to add new awards you see fit.

Unique Awards

These types of awards celebrate achievements outside of academics. Examples of these kinds of awards include “Best Helper Award” which recognizes a student who gives a helping hand to their mates. Another one would be “Teamwork Award” — this honour appreciates the student that shows excellent collaboration skills.

You can get as creative as you like with unique award titles and recognitions.

Let TrophiesPlusMedals Help You!

Feeling inspired to start an awards program for your school? Let TrophiesPlusMedals provide awards and more. We have a wide assortment of certificates, trophies and medals for academic awards and other special honours.