PALOS VERDES, CA — Dozens of South Bay high school students have been announced as semifinalists for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Here’s what that means.
The nonprofit program was started in 1955 as a way to honor the most academically talented high school seniors and help them achieve their full potential, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
Millions of high school students apply each year for the chance to get their higher educucation efforts funded. But only a few thousand will be selected to receive any sort of financial support.
“The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state,” the nonprofit ssaid in a statement Wednesday. “Merit Scholr designees are selected one the basis of their skill, accomplishmetns and potential for success in rigorous college studies.”
The following South Bay students were selected as semifinalists for the award:
South High School (Torrance)
California Academy of Mathematics and Science (Carson)
Palos Verdes High School (Palos Verdes Estates)
Chadwick School (Palos Verdes Peninsula)
Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (Rolling Hills)
Redondo Beach Union (Redondo Beach)
Mira Costa (Manhattan Beach)
Da Vinci Science High School (El Segundo)
El Segundo High School (El Segundo)
Vistamar High School (El Segundo)
These students will find out between April and July 2026 whether they’ve been selected as recipients of the scholarship.
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