The Madison School District had 41 high school students named 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program finalists, more than any other district in the state, the district said Wednesday.
West High School had the most finalists in the state with 27, followed by 10 finalists at Memorial High School and four at East.
“These students have demonstrated extraordinary academic achievement, and this recognition is a testament to their hard work and the support of their families and teachers,” Superintendent Joe Gothard said in a statement. “We are incredibly proud of each of them and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next.”
About 6,930 National Merit Scholarships will be awarded this year, including 2,500 single-payment $2,500 scholarships, 830 corporate-sponsored scholarships for students meeting specific criteria and about 3,600 college-sponsored merit scholarships.
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287 Wisconsin students were named National Merit Semifinalists.
2026 Wisconsin cut score: 215. State average: 217.6 // median: 218.
| State | 2026 Cutoff | Change from 2025 | # Semifinalists (approx.) | Compared to Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 214 | 2 | 228 | -1 |
| Alaska | 215 | 1 | 31 | 0 |
| Arizona | 218 | 1 | 409 | 3 |
| Arkansas | 215 | 2 | 141 | 0 |
| California | 224 | 3 | 2,172 | 9 |
| Colorado | 219 | 1 | 287 | 4 |
| Connecticut | 223 | 2 | 193 | 8 |
| Delaware | 220 | 1 | 47 | 5 |
| Florida | 219 | 2 | 1,008 | 4 |
| Georgia | 220 | 2 | 620 | 5 |
| Hawaii | 219 | 2 | 60 | 4 |
| Idaho | 215 | 2 | 90 | 0 |
| Illinois | 222 | 2 | 748 | 7 |
| Indiana | 218 | 1 | 333 | 3 |
| Iowa | 214 | 2 | 138 | -1 |
| Kansas | 216 | 1 | 136 | 1 |
| Kentucky | 214 | 1 | 200 | -1 |
| Louisiana | 216 | 2 | 220 | 1 |
| Maine | 217 | 3 | 57 | 2 |
| Maryland | 224 | 2 | 348 | 9 |
| Massachusetts | 225 | 2 | 282 | 10 |
| Michigan | 220 | 2 | 470 | 5 |
| Minnesota | 219 | 2 | 266 | 4 |
| Mississippi | 213 | 1 | 153 | -2 |
| Missouri | 217 | 2 | 281 | 2 |
| Montana | 213 | 4 | 48 | -2 |
| Nebraska | 214 | 3 | 109 | -1 |
| Nevada | 214 | 0 | 185 | -1 |
| New Hampshire | 219 | 2 | 51 | 4 |
| New Jersey | 225 | 2 | 511 | 10 |
| New Mexico | 210 | -1 | 111 | -5 |
| New York | 223 | 3 | 992 | 8 |
| North Carolina | 220 | 2 | 523 | 5 |
| North Dakota | 210 | 0 | 26 | -5 |
| Ohio | 219 | 2 | 490 | 4 |
| Oklahoma | 212 | 1 | 214 | -3 |
| Oregon | 219 | 3 | 188 | 4 |
| Pennsylvania | 221 | 2 | 612 | 6 |
| Rhode Island | 219 | 2 | 50 | 4 |
| South Carolina | 215 | 1 | 225 | 0 |
| South Dakota | 211 | 3 | 46 | -4 |
| Tennessee | 219 | 2 | 306 | 4 |
| Texas | 222 | 3 | 1,673 | 7 |
| Utah | 213 | 2 | 199 | -2 |
| Vermont | 216 | 1 | 27 | 1 |
| Virginia | 224 | 2 | 489 | 9 |
| Washington | 224 | 2 | 388 | 9 |
| West Virginia | 210 | 1 | 66 | -5 |
| Wisconsin | 215 | 1 | 287 | |
| Wyoming | 210 | 1 | 20 | -5 |
| District of Columbia | 225 | 2 | 37 | 10 |
| U.S. Territories | 210 | 2 | 43 | -5 |
| Studying Abroad | 225 | 2 | 86 | 10 |