- Skip to main content
- About Us
- Contact Us
- FAQs
-  Language Assistance ****    - English
  - español
  - 中文: 繁體版
  - Việt-ngữ
  - 한국어
  - Tagalog
  - Русский 

U.S. Department of Education

U.S. Department of Education

        - Student Loans
        - Grants
        - Laws
        - Data

# Secretary Cardona Congratulates 2023 President’s Education Awards Program Recipients

# Secretary Cardona Congratulates 2023 President’s Education Awards Program Recipients

July 19, 2023

**Contact:  **press@ed.gov

                                    -        
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today congratulated the 2023 President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) recipients, recognizing hundreds of thousands of elementary, middle, and high school graduates  from public and private schools across all 50 states, the District of Columbia,  Puerto Rico, Outlying Areas, and American military bases abroad on their  educational accomplishments.

From the opening of the program in March through close-out in the month of June, there have been more than  92,000 unique downloads of 2023 PEAP materials, including Excellence and  Achievement certificates and letters from the President and the Secretary. 

“On behalf of President Biden  and everyone at the U.S. Department of Education, I want to congratulate and  celebrate the talented and hardworking students who have earned the 2023  President’s Education Award,” Secretary Miguel Cardona said. “This year’s awardees have shined academically, demonstrated determination and excellence, and inspired their educators, peers, and families with their strength of character. These remarkable young people are our nation’s future leaders, innovators, artists, and scholars, and their achievements bring all of us in the Biden-Harris administration tremendous hope and pride.” 

PEAP was founded in 1983. Every year since then, the program has provided schools with the opportunity to recognize graduating students who meet high standards of academic excellence and those who have given their best effort, often overcoming obstacles to their learning. 

Each year, eligible graduating K-12 students are selected  by their school principals for recognition in one of two categories: 
- The President’s Award for Educational Excellence  – This award recognizes academic success in the classroom. To be eligible, students must meet requirements, including grade point average or other       school-set criteria and choice of state tests or teacher recommendations. 
- The President’s Award for Educational Achievement  – This award recognizes students who show outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment, or intellectual development in their academic subjects but do not meet the criteria for the Educational Excellence Award. Its purpose is to encourage and reward students who work hard and give their best effort, often in the face of obstacles. Criteria for this award are developed at each school. 

Individual recognition is bestowed by the President and  the U.S. Secretary of Education, in partnership with the National Association  of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary  School Principals. The award includes a congratulatory letter to the student  and a certificate signed by the President, the Secretary, and the school  principal. 

Unlike other awards programs, the principal has sole discretion in choosing recipients based on eligibility. There is no limit on the number of awards that can be distributed, as long as  students meet the criteria for each award set by the school. 

This year the agency again made  available the Excellence and Achievement certificates, as well as  congratulatory letters from the President and Secretary of Education, available  digitally. Also, PEAP-related products, such as folders, pins, and graduation  cords, remain available to order from the National Association of Elementary  School Principals at https://www.services-naesp.org/peap/t-main.aspx.  
-  Tags: Press Releases
      How Do I Find...?    - Student loans, forgiveness
- Higher Education Rulemaking
- College accreditation
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- FERPA
- FAFSA
- 1098, tax forms
- More...
      Information About...    - Elevating Teaching
- Early Learning
- Engage Every Student
- Unlocking Career Success
- Cybersecurity
Search press releasesSearch for:      Find By Month    - February 2024 
- January 2024 
- December 2023 
- November 2023 
- October 2023 
- September 2023 
- August 2023 
- July 2023 
- June 2023 
- May 2023 
- April 2023 
- March 2023 
- All Press Releases

*Our mission* is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
- Student Loans
- Repaying Loans
- Defaulted Loans
- Loan Forgiveness
- Loan Servicers
- Grants & Programs
- Apply for Pell Grants
- Grants Forecast
- Apply for a Grant
- Laws & Guidance
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- FERPA
- Civil Rights
- IDEA Website
- Data & Research
- Education Statistics
- Postsecondary Education Data
- ED Data Express
- Nation's Report Card
- What Works Clearinghouse
- Open Data Platform
- COVID Relief Data
- About Us
- Contact Us
- ED Offices
- Jobs
- Press Releases
- FAQs
- Recursos en español
- Budget, Performance
- Privacy Program
- Homeroom Blog
- Notices
- FOIA
- Privacy Policy
- Accessibility
- Security
- Information Quality
- Inspector General
- Whitehouse.gov
- USA.gov
- Benefits.gov
- Regulations.gov