GameGala
Billed as the largest game-specific K-12 contest in the U.S., GameGala started in California in 2018 with 80 participants and has grown into a global virtual competition (hosted by the K12 Ventures Foundation) where students build original games solo or in teams of up to three. High schoolers compete in their own age division for placement awards and special recognitions like the Innovation Award and Best Teamwork.
You might also like
Daydream Silicon Valley
A free, teen-organized weekend game jam in San Jose where participants ages 12-18 design and deploy an original game to itch.io within 48 hours, with no experience required and beginner workshops offered on-site. Part of Hack Club's Daydream network of simultaneous teen game jams held in 100 cities, the event provides meals, merchandise, prizes, and travel reimbursement for those coming from farther away.
G4C Student Challenge
An international game design competition from Games for Change inviting students ages 10-25 to build original digital games addressing a UN Sustainable Development Goals theme (recent themes include hunger, road safety, and biodiversity). The program supports entrants with in-school and after-school game-making courses, student game jams, and mentorship from game industry experts before the final submission and awards, which include scholarships and industry opportunities.
California Student Media Festival
The California Student Media Festival is a nonprofit statewide competition open to any California PreK-12 student (public, private, charter, extracurricular, or homeschool) to submit original work in Film/Video, Animation, Photography, Audio (music or podcasting), or Interactive Media, judged in a Secondary (grades 9-12) division. Finalists are celebrated at an annual awards ceremony, with 2026 entries accepted January 19-March 31 and the ceremony held in May.
CATE Creative Writing Student Showcase
The California Association of Teachers of English (CATE) runs an annual statewide creative writing showcase inviting California students, including high schoolers, to submit poetry, short stories, or essays responding to an annual prompt. Local CATE council divisions select top entries, which are published on the CATE website; the 2026 prompt is 'Preserving Narratives, Amplifying Perspectives,' exploring AI and human voice.
Get Lit - Words Ignite Classic Slam
One of the largest youth spoken-word poetry competitions in the country, in which middle and high school teams (using the Get Lit curriculum) each memorize and perform a classic poem paired with an original spoken-word response. Teams advance through qualifying rounds to a live finals judged by professional poets and performers.
ProStart
A two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management career pathway for high schoolers, offered through participating high schools nationwide (including California) via the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Combines classroom instruction and industry mentorship with the annual National ProStart Invitational competition.