Graduation Award Criteria

Please read carefully: The following information reflects the conditions necessary to qualify for an EMAAN Junior High School Graduation Award.

• Students successfully finishing Grade 9 in 2026 will be presented with a graduation award.
• Junior High students must report marks for CORE subjects that include Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. The marks for each of these 4 subjects must be included in the application.
• Submitted marks should be reported from the second term report card.
• PLEASE NOTE: We understand that by the application deadline, students will not have final report cards and grades. We will accept progress reports that show the most recent grade that students have in each class. These can be in the form of screenshots from your school’s online grading system. Please make sure the student’s name is clearly visible in the screenshots. 

Graduation Award Criteria

Please read carefully, as your application will not be accepted if these conditions are not met: The following information reflects the conditions necessary to qualify for an EMAAN Senior High School Graduation Award.

• Students successfully finishing Grade 12 in 2026 will be presented with a graduation award.
• You must submit a transcript showing at least FIVE of the courses from the Rutherford Course Requirement section (see below). If you do not have at least five courses that follow the criteria below, you will not be eligible for Merit Awards or the Scholarship.
• PLEASE NOTE: We understand that by the application deadline, students will not have final report cards and grades. We will accept progress reports that show the most recent grade that students have in each class. These can be in the form of screenshots from your school’s online grading system. Please make sure the student’s name is clearly visible in the screenshots. 
• You will be able to submit multiple documents in the application. 

Merit Award Criteria

The following information reflects the conditions necessary to qualify for EMAAN’s Merit Awards. You do not need to submit a separate application in order to qualify for these awards. The judges will use the transcript of grades that you provide in your application to make a decision:

Honours 

• Average mark of 85% and over in required subjects (refer to the eligibility criteria).

Top Academic Student Award

• Awarded to one student at the senior high level.
• Awarded to a student who obtained the highest average in required subjects (refer to the eligibility criteria) during the current academic year.
• The Top Academic Student recipient for Grade 12 will receive a $1000 scholarship upon proof of enrollment in a full-time program at a Post-Secondary institution.

Rutherford Course Requirements for Senior High (Grade 12)

One of:

• English 30-1, 30-2
• Français 30-1 or 30-2

At least two of:

• Mathematics 30-1, 30-2 or 31
• Science 30
• Social Studies 30-1 or 30-2
• Biology 30
• Chemistry 30
• Physics 30
• A language is other than the one used above at the Grade 12 level.

Any two courses with a minimum five credit value at Grade 12 level (3000, 6000 or 9000 series) including those listed above and combined advanced CTS course.

General Criteria

• All students must provide their most recent transcript including course numbers, names and marks. Unofficial transcripts are sufficient.

Special Recognition Awards Criteria

• Submitting an application for a Special Recognition Award does not guarantee that you will receive it. The judges will assess all of the applications, and each of the awards below will be awarded to individuals who best fit the award category. You will be informed of your award decision prior to the event.
• You are welcome to apply to awards which you believe are a best fit for you.
• Please remember to add both your portfolio and supporting attachments in one single PDF and label it with your name.
• This is a separate application to the Graduation Award Application. If you are graduating, please make sure you also submit a Graduation Award Application.
• In exceptional circumstances, we will present non-graduates with awards as well.

Community Service and Youth Leadership Award

Judging criteria shall be based on:

• Community involvement
• Level of involvement and impact of involvement
• Team leadership and service to the community

What to Submit:

Applicants must submit a portfolio containing both a personal statement and supporting documents that demonstrate their dedication to the community and leadership.

For more information on portfolio guidelines, please scroll down to Special Recognition portfolio guidelines.

Athlete of the Year Award

Judging criteria shall be based on:

• Participation and level of involvement in sports
• Achievement and recognition
• Leadership and sportsmanship

What to Submit:

Applicants must submit a portfolio containing both a personal statement and supporting documents that demonstrate their dedication to athletics and sports.

For more information on portfolio guidelines, please scroll down to Special Recognition portfolio guidelines.

Quranic Memorization Award

Judging criteria shall be based on:

• Quranic memorization achievements
• Quranic memorization milestones
  

What to Submit:

Applicants must submit a portfolio containing both a personal statement and supporting documents that demonstrate their dedication to memorizing the Quran.

For more information on portfolio guidelines, please scroll down to Special Recognition portfolio guidelines.

Arts Award

Judging criteria shall be based on:

• Innovativeness and creativity
• Artistic talents
• Value or benefit to society
• Supporting data, letters, evaluations and/or awards

What to Submit:

Applicants must submit a portfolio containing both a personal statement and supporting documents that demonstrate their dedication to the arts.

For more information on portfolio guidelines, please scroll down to Special Recognition portfolio guidelines.

Literature/Journalism Award

Judging criteria shall be based on:

• Innovativeness and creativity
• Value or benefit to society
• Published piece with supporting letters, evaluations, and/or awards

What to Submit:

Applicants must submit a portfolio containing both a personal statement and supporting documents containing any supporting data, letters, evaluations and/or awards of their work.

For more information on portfolio guidelines, please scroll down to Special Recognition portfolio guidelines.

Entrepreneurship Award

Judging criteria shall be based on:

• Benefit to society
• Creativity and problem-solving
• Proof of milestones, operational success, and financial growth

What to Submit:

Applicants must submit a portfolio containing both a personal statement and supporting documents containing any supporting data, letters, evaluations and/or awards of their work.

For more information on portfolio guidelines, please scroll down to Special Recognition portfolio guidelines.

Research Award*

Judging criteria shall be based on:

• Academic Excellence
• Creativity & Research Innovation
• Scholarly contributions
• Research Impact & Significance
  

Science and experiment projects of all levels welcome! We also invite engineering innovations, literature and writing projects, historical investigations, artistic analyses, and interdisciplinary work of all kinds.

* Important Note: Additional Criteria for Undergrads, Masters and PhD graduates

1. Transcripts from the University
2. One Academic reference
3. List of publications and conferences (refer to list below)

-Journal (Masters requires one, PhD requires two)
-Conference Proceedings (Masters requires one, PhD requires two)
-Conference Presentation (Masters requires one, PhD requires two)
-Book Chapter (optional for both Masters and PhD)

Perseverance Award Criteria

Judging Criteria shall be based on:

• Demonstration of exceptional performance while navigating adversity
• Attaining a significant objective or milestone despite a unique or challenging circumstance
• Served as a source of motivation and encouragement for others in pursuing their goals

What To Submit:

Applicants must submit a portfolio containing both a personal statement and supporting documents that demonstrate their perseverance toward meeting academic, personal, professional, or community-based objectives.

Perseverance Award Portfolio Guidelines

1. A personal statement/essay answering this question:

During your experience, what were some adversities, lessons and milestones that you overcame and brought change for?

• Explain the nature of the long-term adversity or unique circumstances
• Mention strategies, actions, and sustained efforts used to overcome challenges
• Provide milestones and goals achieved or actively being worked toward

2. Supporting documents

Upload scans or images of:

• Letters of support or reference
• Awards, acknowledgements, scholarships
• Projects, achievements, and demonstrated successes
• Other relevant documentation to support/ strengthen your application

Important notes:

1. Ensure both the statement and support documents are attached in the same portfolio file.
2. Formal awards are not required; other forms of strong evidence of sustained effort and impact will be considered equally.
3. Failure to provide at least a personal statement in the portfolio may risk the consideration of your application.
4. Not sure if this award is the right fit for you? Apply and let us decide!

Not sure what a portfolio should look like? Click the link below to see a basic example that follows all the guidelines and requirements.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dGWaGzEwsGp53pFXfQm0mgRDDF5XIRllfMCeMA8UEsA/edit?usp=sharing

Special Recognition Portfolio Guidelines

1. A personal statement/essay answering this question:

Based on your involvement in _______ (NAME OF SECTION), how have you shown initiative, achievement and progress in your milestones and/or goals?

• Describe the initiative, achievement, and excellence of your involvement in that particular award
• Provide milestones and goals achieved or actively being worked toward

2. Supporting documents

Upload scans or images of:

• Letters of support or reference
• Awards, acknowledgements, scholarships
• Projects, achievements, and demonstrated successes
• Other relevant documentation to support/strengthen your application

Important notes:

1. Ensure both the statement and support documents are attached in the same portfolio file.
2. The perseverance award portfolio is its own section and has different requirements (scroll up to find the requirements).
3. Formal awards are not required; other forms of strong evidence of sustained effort and impact will be considered equally.
4. Failure to provide at least a personal statement in the portfolio may risk the consideration of your application.
5. Not sure if this award is the right fit for you? Apply and let us decide!

Not sure what a special recognition portfolio should look like? Click the link below to see a basic example that follows all the guidelines and requirements.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16_rEZsgW0ItGYCimzQXrE6LUrF6PMl3iQfzUtR5i1wE/edit?usp=sharing