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Learn AI.

Stand out in college apps.

Win prizes.

Join the Apex High School Championship — a free national program where students learn AI, compete, and win $50K+ in scholarships and prizes.

No cost. No experience required.

 
Apply now →
 

We work with the best universities in the U.S.

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Why join

The first AI competition built for american high school students

 
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Learn AI
Learn AI
Build real AI skills through interactive training.
Workshop
Boost college applications
Earn a certificate recognized by top universities.
Win prizes
Win prizes
Win $50K in scholarships and other gear.
How it works

How and when to apply

Timeline & key dates

 

 

Apply

Rolling admissions deadlines:

  • January 1, 2026
  • March 1, 2026
  • May 1, 2026.

Seats are limited.

 

Program

The program will be held in a live, virtual classroom

  • Monday, June 8th - Friday June 12th --- Team Formation Period
  • Saturday, June 13th --- Championship Kick-off Webinar
  • Saturday, June 13th - Monday, June 22nd --- Qualifying Round + Daily Raffle
  • Saturday, June 27th --- Championship Finals (top 10 teams)

Start your application →

A simple 3 step application process

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Step 1

Apply in minutes

Complete a short application and assessment - no studying required!

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Step 2

Learn & Win

Learn AI tools, meet a community, and compete for real prizes in coding games. (Program is entirely virtual. All you need is a laptop.)

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Step 3

Get certified

Graduate from the program with a certification for your resume, showing the world you're proficient in the world's most important tool.

Why it matters

 

APEX AI will teach you the number one skill of the future, and help you stick out in college admissions.

Correlation One has helped thousands of students reach their dream schools and dream jobs through new skills

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Correlation One boosted me when I needed it most, finalizing a jump from tinkerer to builder. Even before freshman year, it qualified me for two internships… If you’re on a hot streak already, the new Apex AI Launchpad will help you burn brighter for years to come.

Jacob Kasner

Jacob Kasner

Corelation one Participant

Rice University

Job offers and internships with:

Amazon Palantir
Prizes and recognition

What you can win

 

Win over

$50,000

in scholarship awards and prizes

Prizes range from the latest tech to campus essentials. We’re giving away hundreds of prizes to attendees based on skill contests (and raffles)!

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Who we are

 
The Apex High School AI Championship is run by Correlation One, an education company trusted by Amazon, the U.S. Department of Defense, and top universities to train the next generation of AI leaders.

We've helped tens of thousands of students and young professionals get into top schools and find dream jobs.


 
Our competitions and training programs help aspiring tech talent learn, build communities, and leapfrog the competition.
 
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150+

data science competitions successfully executed worldwide in partnership with top financial institutions and tech companies

$1.5M

in cash prizes awarded to date

50,000+

students and professionals assessed through our industry-leading technical skills assessment platform

Ready to shape the future of AI?

 
Whether you're already passionate about AI or just beginning to explore the field, the Apex AI Challenge provides an unparalleled opportunity to develop your skills, connect with industry leaders, and join a community of peers who share your ambitions — with the opportunity to earn scholarships and exciting prizes along the way.

Don't just watch the AI revolution – lead it.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

For students

Do I need prior AI or programming experience to participate?

No! While some programming experience is helpful, we welcome students at all levels. We’ll provide guidance on programming and using AI tools to students new to these topics so students from all experience levels can participate.

 What programming languages and AI tools will I need to use for the competition? Our competition platform supports both Python, Rust, and Java, and all AI tools will be permitted. We’ll provide guidance on programming and using AI tools to students new to these topics so students from all experience levels can participate. How is this different from other science and math fairs? Unlike traditional science and math competitions, we emphasize live problem-solving, collaboration, and real-world application. Plus, our industry connections provide direct career opportunities. What is the application deadline?

The competition has 3 deadlines:

  • Early application: August, 2025
  • General application: November, 2025
  • Final application:  February, 2026

Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis after each application round. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to secure your spot.

 
 How long will the assessment take? The assessment is 20 questions long and you will have 45 minutes to complete it. The assessment will help us understand your current level of experience in several core STEM topics.  Can I participate if my school doesn't have an AI Club? Absolutely! Any eligible student can participate in the main competition. Who is eligible to participate?

The competition is open to all high school students in the U.S.. There are no educational prerequisites, all levels of experience are welcome to apply.

You must be at least 14 years of age to apply. If you are under the age of 18, you will need permission from your Parent or Legal Guardian to apply and participate.

 What are the age requirements? You must be at least 14 years of age to apply and participate. Do I need parental permission to apply? If you are under the age of 18, you will need your Parent or Legal Guardian to complete a portion of this form in order for you to legally complete the application and participate in this competition. Can I sign up with a sibling and/or friend? Yes! We encourage you to apply together with your friends and/or siblings who are in high school.
 How do I become a competition ambassador? If you're interested in spreading the word on this competition to your peers, email us for more information at info@apex-america.ai.  How many hours per week will I need to dedicate to the competition?

During the qualifying round, how much you spend on the competition is up to you. The competition is done fully asynchronously, so you can work on the competition whenever you like.

We usually recommend spending at least 2 hours during the qualifying round developing creating and refining your solution.

If you qualify for the finale, it will be a full day virtual event.

 What if I don't make it to the finals? Every participant gains access to our training resources, community, and some level of mentorship. Many of our most successful alumni didn't win their first competition but used it as a launching pad for future success. Who is this competition organized by?

The Apex America Initiative Challenge is organized by Correlation One in partnership with leading AI companies and research institutions.

Correlation One is an organization that is focused on identifying, training, and connecting top AI and STEM talent with leading employers around the world. Since 2015, we've hosted over 150 competitions globally for students at top universities and colleges.

For questions about the competition, email info@apex-america.ai

 Are there any costs associated to joining the competition? No. The competition is entirely free to participants.  Where does the competition take place? The Apex America Initiative Championship is conducted online on Correlation One’s platform, making it accessible to high school students nationwide. During the Open Challenge Round, you will be able to work on the competition at your own pace in your free time. Who do I contact if I have questions about the High School AI Championship?

If you have any questions about the Apex High School AI Championship, please feel free to email us at info@apex-america.ai.

For school administrators and faculty

How will this competition help my students? Participating gives students direct exposure to real-world problem-solving, insights into various careers, mentorship opportunities, and valuable recognition for college applications. How will this competition help my school? The competition enhances the school’s reputation, provides students with valuable learning experiences, and showcases the school’s commitment to innovation and career readiness. How is this different from other science or math fairs? Unlike traditional high school math and science competitions, we emphasize live problem-solving, collaboration, and real-world application. Plus, our industry connections provide direct career opportunities. Who is this competition organized by?

The Apex America Initiative Challenge is organized by Correlation One in partnership with leading AI companies and research institutions.

Correlation One is an organization that is focused on identifying, training, and connecting top AI and STEM talent with leading employers around the world. Since 2015, we've hosted over 150 competitions globally for students at top universities and colleges.

For questions about the competition, email info@apex-america.ai

 Who do I contact if I have questions about the High School AI Championship? If you have any questions about the Apex High School AI Championship, please feel free to email us at info@apex-america.ai.
AI squad, assemble!
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