A closer look
National Merit semifinalists represent those who scored in the top 1% of the PSAT from the previous year. About 16,000 high school seniors are named each year to compete for the final scholarship, meaning this year is based on the results from the 2022 PSATs. The district's previous record for the number of semifinalists was for the 2021-22 school year, when 40 students were named. In September of last year, the school announced 31 semifinalists with 18 more students being named this year.
The news release said the district's number of National Merit scholars is five times more than the national average.
Forty-eight of the students this year are from the the top 1% of Coppell High School's senior class of 968 students along with one student from New Tech High School. The program is one of the most competitive merit-based scholarships in the nation, according to College Advisor. Out of the 16,000 semifinalists, the program narrows down to 15,000 finalists, and about 8,000 or fewer will receive the National Merit scholarship of $2,500.
Quote of note
“This achievement is a reflection of these students' hard work, dedication and the exceptional education they receive from our outstanding teachers starting in elementary school, then middle and high school, as well the support of their incredible parents and families, and the entire Coppell ISD community,” CISD Superintendent Brad Hunt said. “We are immensely proud of our 49 National Merit Semifinalists and look forward to celebrating their success as they continue along their academic journey.”
