National Student Writing Competition isn’t just a contest. We divide contestants into four categories: middle school (grades 6-8), high school (grades 9-12), university, and Powerful Voice (for authors whose essays are powerful and passionate). Student Writing Contest and resources for teaching social justice. Student writers should be in grades 6-8 (middle school), grades 9-12 (high school), college/university, or adult continuing education. Sign up to receive writing contest notifications, plus social and climate justice resources, tough topics discussion guides, and student writing lessons.