Overview & Eligibility
The ASCA Pinnacle Award recognizes exceptional, high‑impact work led by state and territory school counselor associations that advances the profession and strengthens association effectiveness. The award honors initiatives that demonstrate strategic alignment, measurable impact and meaningful benefit through association‑led efforts.
Pinnacle Award projects demonstrate association leadership at its highest level, reflecting thoughtful planning, innovative approaches and outcomes that extend beyond a single program or initiative. Strong applications clearly communicate what was done, why it mattered and how the work advanced the association’s mission and priorities.
The submitted project must reflect intentional, high‑quality association work that demonstrates clear purpose, measurable impact and strategic value.
The project must have taken place during, or directly impacted members, between January 2025 and March 2026 and must clearly demonstrate how the work directly or indirectly benefited the SCA, its membership or both. If the project has previously been submitted or honored, there must be a distinct change or development to be considered again.
Projects must align with one or more of the following focus areas:
- Leadership
- Advocacy
- SCA Member Professional Development
- SCA Development and Training
- Management
Applications must:
- Clearly identify the need or challenge the project addressed and its relevance to the association or its members.
- Demonstrate alignment with association strategy, including strategic goals or ends policies, where applicable.
- Show measurable impact on members or the profession, including direct or indirect benefits to members’ work, programs or professional practice.
- Provide evidence of results using data or indicators to demonstrate outcomes or progress.
- Identify relevant trend data and explain its significance to the project’s design, implementation or outcomes.
- Demonstrate innovation and distinctiveness in approach or execution.
- Describe how access, opportunity and belonging were intentionally integrated.
- Explain how the project could be replicated by other state or territory associations.
- Describe how the project is scalable, adaptable or positioned for continued or expanded impact.
- Acknowledge ASCA's AI policy for awards submissions (noted on application).
- Be submitted by May 18 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Criteria Rubric
Review the 2026 Pinnacle Award Criteria Rubric.
Preparing a Strong Application
Draft responses in a text editor and review the full submission before pasting final content into the application. Use the limited space wisely and with intention by being specific, avoiding repetition and ensuring each response adds value. Highlight creativity, innovation, relevant data and meaningful trends, including risks taken and impact achieved. When helpful, reference timelines and outcomes, and use the optional file submission to enhance. not duplicate, written responses. Proofread carefully before submitting.
Apply for the 2026 Pinnacle Award by creating a login or select "skip and login as guest."
2026 Submission deadline is May 18 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. The 2026 ASCA Pinnacle Award will be announced at Elevate, the forum for school counseling association leadership, on July 9, 2026.