CARMEL, Ind. – Carmel High School is proud to announce that 54 students have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students are among approximately 34,000 Commended Students nationwide who are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise.

Commended Students are recognized based on their outstanding performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). While they will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarships, these students represent some of the highest scorers in the nation.

“Being recognized as a Commended Student is a remarkable accomplishment that reflects years of hard work and dedication,” said Carmel High School Principal Dr. Tim Phares. “We are incredibly proud of these students and know they will continue to do great things both in and beyond the classroom.”

The National Merit Scholarship Program, established in 1955, is an annual academic competition for recognition and scholarships. More than 1.3 million students in over 21,000 high schools enter the program each year by taking the PSAT/NMSQT.

Carmel High School congratulates each of these 54 students for this outstanding academic honor.

These students join the previously announced 52 National Merit Semifinalists from Carmel High School.