The Scholar-Athlete program, one of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association's most popular voluntary programs, recognizes excellence in the classroom as well as on the playing court or field. The program includes recognition of varsity teams that attain certain grades as well as individual athletes and is presented by the North Carolina National Guard.

     The program has been part what the NCHSAA offers for almost 30 years.

     Individual Scholar-Athletes attain at least a 3.5 grade point average for the semester in which he or she competed. The award is based on first semester grades for fall and winter sports and second semester grades for spring sports, and the school submits the nomination form verifying the grade point average on behalf of the athlete or team.

     In the team division, a varsity team earns Scholar-Athlete recognition by attaining a 3.1 aggregate GPA for that designated semester. The school receives a certificate honoring the accomplishment and each member of the squad also receives a certificate.

     The teams with the top GPA's in the state in their respective sports are recognized at the NCHSAA Annual Meeting in May and will receive a plaque.