Decatur High School Senior Maggie Ballou has been recognized as a Commended Student by the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. This prestigious honor places Ballou among the top tier of academically gifted students nationwide, highlighting her exceptional performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
To be named a "Commended Student" is a mark of outstanding scholastic and academic ability.
“We are incredibly proud of Maggie for earning this Commended Student status,” said Decatur High School Principal Tammy Allen. “It takes tremendous focus and discipline to perform at this level, and Maggie is a fantastic example of the academic excellence we strive for at DHS. We look forward to seeing the great things she will accomplish as she prepares for college and her next chapter.”
Of the approximately 1.5 million students who enter the National Merit competition each year by taking the PSAT/NMSQT, only about 34,000 are designated as Commended Students. This puts Ballou's qualifying score among the top 3% of test-takers across the entire nation.
Ballou earned this recognition based on a nationally applied Selection Index qualifying score. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) awards a Letter of Commendation to these high-achieving students through their schools, recognizing their "outstanding ability and potential for academic success in college."
“I was so excited and incredibly grateful when I found out I had been named a Commended Student,” said Ballou. “This recognition inspires me to keep pushing myself, and represent Decatur with pride. I hope many more DHS students take part in this amazing program in the years ahead.”
While Commended Students do not continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, the designation carries significant weight on college applications. It provides universities with strong evidence of her advanced skills in critical reading, mathematics, and writing, and it may open doors to other special scholarships and opportunities.