Pop Warner Little Scholars Program
Each year, the most academically accomplished Pop Warner kids compete for Academic All-American status. This process begins at the association level and up through each of the eight Pop Warner regions to the national level. In 2004, approximately 380,000 kids participated in Pop Warner. As our numbers once again reached record levels, 276 First Team members, over 4,200 Second Team members and 900 Honorable Mention scholars were named as Academic All-Americans at the National Level for 2004-2005.
The PWLS All-American Program requires a minimum 96% grade point average to apply for All-American status. After the applications have been processed, Pop Warner determines National First Team All-Americans (35 football, 25 cheer per grade), National Second Team All-Americans and National Honorable Mention Scholars.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pop Warner Scholar All-American Program
What is All-American Selection Process?
A final score is calculated for each student that consists of up to 100 points (85%) for the student's grades for the prior school year, along with up to 18 points (15%) awarded for the attached Addendum sheet of activities and achievements.
- Once the scores have been calculated, First Team All-Americans are selected. The top 35 football players and 25 cheerleaders per grade (plus ties) are selected as National First Team All-Americans.
- Second Team All-Americans are then determined by Pop Warner based upon the number of applications that were submitted for that year. Last year's total was approximately 3,800 Second Team All-Americans
What Happens Next?
Pop Warner will announce its annual Scholar All-Americans each year on April 1st. Each scholar will receive an informational packet in the mail by the end of April that includes:
- Congratulatory letter from Pop Warner indicating their scholastic accomplishment.
- Certificate of achievement for National All-Americans.
- Information regarding the Pop Warner National All-American Banquet.
Who is eligible for the Scholar All-American Program?
You need to meet the following criteria in order to be considered for the Scholar All-American Program:
- Currently be in 5th Grade or higher for the Pop Warner Season
- Have a 96% Grade Point Average (GPA) from your previous school year's report card.
- Have a Complete Full-Year's Report Card from your previous school year to prove eligibility
This will differ a little from program to program. You should contact your local program once practice begins to see when the paperwork is due, and whom you need to submit everything to.
How are the applications graded once submitted to Nationals?
Once we receive the applications from each Region in early January, we come up with a score for each participant based on his/her GPA and the addendum score. NOTE: addendums are graded based on a scoring system that Pop Warner National has developed and had evaluated by several professionals in the educations system. We do no release this criteria to anyone outside of our office.
What is the difference between First Team and Second Team All-American?
A First Team All-American is one of the top 35 football players or top 25 cheerleaders for his/her grade nationwide! A Second Team All-American consists of those scholars who are above an annually increasing final score (GPA + addendum), ranging last year from about 97.5 -101.5!
What is an Honorable Mention All-American Scholar?
This is new for the 2005 year. We feel that everyone who meets the criteria for All-American consideration should be rewarded for his/her academic success. If you meet this criteria and your application was turned in to us, then you will be an Honorable Mention Scholar if you miss out on Second Team.
If my son/daughter makes First Team for his/her region, league or association, are they automatically a National First Team All-American?
No, Regional, League and/or Association recognition is separate from National recognition. You must understand that while someone makes First Team at the Region Level, he/she is competing against the whole nation at the National Level.
When will I find out if I am an All-American Scholar?
Every year we make the announcement on www.popwarner.com on April 1. We also mail out a packet to each scholar containing a Certificate of Achievement, Recognition Letter, Scholar Merchandise Info, and an invitation to the National Scholar Banquet.
Who is eligible to attend the Scholar Awards Program in May?
Every Scholar is invited to attend, whether they are First Team, Second Team or Honorable Mention. We hold this event annually to recognize your incredible achievements in the classroom.
What is an All-American Senior Scholar and are they the only ones eligible for scholarships at the Awards Program in May?
An All-American Senior Scholar is a First Team recipient in grades 8 and above. Yes, they are the only Scholar All-Americans who are eligible for scholarship at the National Levels. Pop Warner Leagues and Regions often hold separate scholastic banquets, and may award scholarships to any participants based upon their pre-determined criteria.
How big of a deal is it to be named as a Pop Warner All-American Scholar?
A very big deal! If your son/daughter is recognized as a Pop Warner All-American Scholar, then he/she is amongst the top 1% of all Pop Warner participants. They are also eligible to attend our Awards Recognition Program held annually which commemorates their achievements on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
If you still have questions about the All-American Scholar Program, please send us an email and we will answer you back as soon as we can.
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