SkillsUSA Contact:
Clare Briner
cbriner@skillsusa.org
Leesburg, Va., March 30, 2026 – SkillsUSA has named 24 SkillsUSA schools as Models of Excellence for 2026. The annual program recognizes the exceptional integration of Personal, Workplace and Technical Skills into SkillsUSA chapter activities. This is the highest honor bestowed on chapters by SkillsUSA, the #1 workforce development organization for students.
The Models of Excellence program promotes the intentional learning of Personal, Workplace and Technical Skills as outlined in the SkillsUSA Framework for student development, which empowers students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. Specific characteristics defined within each skill area benchmark student achievement and chapter programming. The hands-on approach of this program actualizes the SkillsUSA mission as students take the lead on all activities and practice the skills that employers seek including communication, teamwork and problem solving. Their SkillsUSA instructors guide them – but never do the work for them – elevating their learning from classroom instruction to the successful application of skills.
“Our SkillsUSA top 24 Models of Excellence schools represent the best in chapter achievement and community involvement,” said Chelle Travis, Executive Director of SkillsUSA. “These students are America’s future skilled workforce and future leaders in their local communities. It is a tremendous honor for these schools, and their recognition validates these outstanding SkillsUSA programs.”
The 24 SkillsUSA chapters selected as Models of Excellence will be interviewed in June at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta. A panel of judges will evaluate each chapter based on their goals, student-led plan of action, results, final evaluation and integration of the SkillsUSA Framework. All chapters will be honored at NLSC, and the top three schools—one for Personal Skills, one for Workplace Skills and one for Technical Skills—will be announced on June 5 during the conference’s awards session.
The top 24 SkillsUSA Models of Excellence for 2026 include:
Personal Skills
Warren High School (California)
Mount Zion High School (Georgia)
Hancock County Technical Center (Maine)
Greater Lowell Tech High (Massachusetts)
Hobbs High School (New Mexico)
Eastern Center For Arts & Tech (Pennsylvania)
Center for Advanced Technical Studies (South Carolina)
Putnam Career &Technical Center (West Virginia)
Workplace Skills
Granite Hills High School (California)
Serrano High School (California)
East Hall High School (Georgia)
Thomas Edison High School of Technology (Maryland)
Center of Applied Tech North (Maryland)
WEMOCO Career and Technical Education Center (New York)
Tennessee College of Applied Tech-Pulaski (Tennessee)
Conroe High School (Texas)
Technical Skills
Estrella Foothills High School (Arizona)
Desert Star Academy (Arizona)
River Islands High School (California)
Waukegan High School (Illinois)
Southern Adirondack Educational Center (New York)
Nash Community College (North Carolina)
Vanguard-Sentinel CTC-Vanguard Campus (Ohio)
East High School (Wyoming)
The deadline to submit a Chapter Excellence Program application is March 1.
Apply Here!
The Chapter Excellence Program (CEP) recognizes achievement as it relates to the integration of the SkillsUSA Framework in chapter program of work activities. As a chapter’s yearly action plan, the program of work is at the heart of student learning and employability development. By using the Framework as a guide, chapters have a blueprint for creating relevant activities that encourage participation and foster an understanding of student learning attained during each activity. Using the Framework, the program of work becomes the vital conduit that links students to the application of personal, workplace and technical skills demanded by industry. The SkillsUSA trifecta for student success!
Every chapter is encouraged to participate in CEP and there are three award levels to recognize program involvement. The first two levels are acknowledged by a chapter’s state association and the third level is recognized nationally. Each level is designed to give chapters a benchmark for success and future improvement, leading to stronger chapters and more prepared students. The more a chapter applies the Framework, the greater the chance for CEP honors.
Chapter Excellence Program resources and materials may be accessed here.