Frisco ISD tops Texas with 146 National Merit semifinalists, 144 finalists

Frisco Independent School District again set the pace in Texas, with 146 students named National Merit semifinalists and 144 reaching finalist status in the 2026 competition. For families in Collin County, the numbers matter because they reflect the kind of academic environment that can shape college admissions, scholarship access and how the district is judged against its suburban peers.

The district said the semifinalist total was a record for Frisco ISD and the highest of any Texas district. It also underscored how sharply the district has grown alongside its academic profile: 10 years ago, Frisco ISD had 27 semifinalists and about 50,000 students. Today, those results suggest a system producing a much larger cohort of high-achieving students, not just a few isolated standouts.

National Merit Scholarship Corporation said the 2026 competition began in October 2024, when high school juniors took the PSAT/NMSQT. Semifinalists are chosen from the highest scorers in each state and represent less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. To advance, they must submit a detailed application and move on to finalist status before competing for scholarship awards.

That next stage remains significant. National Merit Scholarship Corporation said about 6,930 National Merit Scholarships, worth nearly $26 million, are being offered in the 2026 competition. Scholarship winners are announced in the spring and summer, so more recognition can still follow for Frisco students who advanced this year.

The scale also stands out in a state as competitive as Texas. Statewide reporting put the number of Texas semifinalists at about 1,674 in the 2026 program, making Frisco ISD’s share especially notable. The district had already led Texas in the prior cycle, when 133 Frisco ISD students were named National Merit semifinalists and finalists combined.

Additional reporting on the 2026 finalists said 27 Frisco ISD students received National Merit $2,500 scholarships or corporate-sponsored scholarships. For parents comparing districts across Collin County and beyond, the message is clear: Frisco ISD’s academic reputation rests on a deep pipeline that reaches across the system, and not just at a few campuses.