Quinn Schulte Named 2026 National Merit Finalist
COVINGTON, KY (February 23, 2026) - Covington Latin School senior Quinn Schulte has been named a 2026 National Merit Finalist.
Quinn’s recognition represents the twenty-first consecutive year that a Covington Latin School student has reached either the Commended, Semifinalist, or Finalist level.
“We are extremely proud of Quinn for being named a 2026 National Merit Finalist,” stated Randy Dennis, Head of School at Covington Latin School. “This recognition affirms Quinn’s academic abilities, but that is only a part of who he is. Quinn is a person of remarkable character and is a leader within our building and community. This honor represents his hard work and achievement.”
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation seeks to honor individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. Approximately 15,000 high school seniors nationwide are recognized as Finalists, representing less than one percent of the most elite high school seniors in the United States. These individuals are first selected as Semifinalists based on their score on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. To be considered for a finalist spot in the National Merit Scholarship Program, Quinn worked closely with the school to submit a detailed scholarship application, which included information about his academic records, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received.
Finalists are the top-scoring students in each state and now have the opportunity to vie to be one of the approximately 6,870 Merit Scholarship winners. All National Merit Scholarship winners for 2026 will be announced in four nationwide releases beginning in April and concluding in July.
Quinn is the son of Kevin and Kelly Schulte of Batavia, Ohio.
About the National Merit Scholarship Program: The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a private, not-for-profit organization that operates independently of government assistance, was founded in 1955 to conduct the National Merit® Scholarship Program, recognizing and honoring academically talented students in the United States. The majority of scholarships offered each year are underwritten by approximately 440 independent corporate and college sponsors, including NMSC, that share the Corporation’s goals of honoring scholastically talented youth and encouraging academic excellence at all levels of education.
About Covington Latin School: Founded in 1923, Covington Latin School (CLS) is the premier educational institution for gifted and talented students in the region. Located in Covington, Kentucky, CLS serves gifted students in grades 7-12 and provides them with an academically challenging curriculum designed to nurture intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills. With a 100% college placement rate and a strong emphasis on service and spiritual growth, Covington Latin has been consistently ranked the Top Catholic High School in Kentucky by Niche. Covington Latin students are uniquely prepared to succeed in the 21st century, both in their future professions and in service to their communities. To learn more about the school, visit covingtonlatin.org.