Frequently Asked Questions: President's Education Awards Program

PEAP is a national student recognition program that honors graduating students for achievement and commitment to learning with certificates and letters from the President of the United States and the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Graduating students in grades K–12 from public, private, and DoD schools, and homeschool programs who demonstrate academic excellence or notable improvement.

PEAP offers two types of awards:

1. President’s Award for Academic Excellence (Gold Seal Certificate): Honors students who achieve high academic performance
2. President’s Award for Academic Achievement (Silver Seal Certificate): Recognizes students who show significant growth, improvement, commitment, or intellectual development

School principals have sole discretion in selecting PEAP recipients, often with input from teachers and staff.

PEAP awards and recognition are typically presented at school events such as assemblies, spring recognition events, and end-of-year or graduation ceremonies, where students are publicly acknowledged for their accomplishments and celebrated by their school communities.

All PEAP certificates and letters are available in PDF format on the PEAP Program Materials page.

PEAP pins, cords, and folders can be ordered via NAESP.

PEAP encourages student excellence and achievement, celebrates dedication and progress, and reinforces the value of accomplishments at both local and national levels.

For questions or information about PEAP, please email PEAP@ed.gov.

For information about PEAP recognition products, please visit NAESP 2026 PEAP Products.