All entries must be paid for to be considered for an award.

Campaign entry fees are $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers. 

You will be emailed an invoice for all completed entries.

A: Comprehensive Program or Campaign (Be prepared to apply the four-step process in your submission)

• Bond/finance election campaign
• Community outreach and public engagement initiative
• Comprehensive, strategic, year-round communication program
• Crisis communication and response
• Customer service program
• DEI campaign
• Education advocacy programs/coalition
• Internal communication program
• Marketing/branding campaign
• Parent involvement campaigns/program
• School safety and wellness program
• Social media campaign
• Special event
• Staff and student recognition program

B: Tactics (Be prepared to discuss audience, distribution and impact in your submission)

• Annual Report
• Branding/Image Package
• Calendar
• DEI Feature or Multilingual Materials 
• Excellence in Writing
• Finance Publication
• Handbook
• Infographic
• Website
• Magazine
• Marketing Materials
• Newsletter
• News Release
• Photo
• Podcast
• Social Media
• Special Purpose Publication
• Video (Singular)
• Video (Series)
• Website

C: Special Individual Recognition - Nomination-Based

Special Individual Recognitions are nomination-based and free to enter. 

Nomination awards are:

Emerging Communication Leader: Recognizes a school communication professional with 1-4 years of experience who has already demonstrably contributed to the profession and is expected to continue advancing the profession. The CalSPRA executive board selects the winner from the nominees. Emerging Communicator of the Year nominations not selected for the final award may be considered for the Rising Star Award.

Communicator of the Year: Recognizes a school communication professional with at least five years of experience who has demonstrably contributed to the school communication profession. The CalSPRA executive board selects the winner from the nominees.

Superintendent to Watch: Honorees are school district leaders who have fewer than five years of experience as a superintendent and who demonstrate dynamic, fast-paced leadership with strong communication at its core.

CalSPRA Distinguished Service Award: Recognizes a CalSPRA member who has outstandingly contributed to the school communication profession. Contributions can be related to CalSPRA, NSPRA, formal or informal mentoring, or APR support.

The 2026 Excellence in Communication Awards Program opens for award submissions on Monday, September 8, 2025 and closes on Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. No extensions will be granted.

Projects eligible for submission must have been completed between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025 (the 2024-25 school year). It is okay if the project was started prior to July 1, 2024.

Yes, all rubrics align with NSPRA awards. This enables members to re-submit the same entries to the NSPRA award program as well as make it easier for our judges from out of state.

Each entry is judged on the overall excellence of the entry as well as its quality compared to other entries in the category. The top award in each category is the Award of Excellence. Awards of Merit are also given in each category. Judges are school communications professionals from outside of California.

Please email admin@calspra.org with any questions you may have regarding the 2026 Awards Program.