PTSA Reflections 2026-2027

A red call out box with "What my culture means to me" in yellow. The National PTA Reflections logo, 2026-2027 Call for Entries. Explore the arts and express yourself.

Icons with the words Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts below

The deadline to enter will be November 30, 2026

Each year, the PTA Reflections program offers students a platform to express their unique perspectives and interpretation of a student-created theme. Each entry must be an original creation inspired by the annual student-created Reflections theme. The 2026-2027 Reflections program theme is "What My Culture Means to Me." This theme was created by Sophia Partola from Wilton High School PTSA in Connecticut.

Explore the 2026-2027 PTA Reflections Theme

ARTS CATEGORIES

There are six arts categories and students may enter the National PTA Reflections program in one or more arts categories. See additional entry requirements and further details outlined in arts category rules.

  • Dance Choreography: Solo and ensemble works of all dance styles are accepted. Entrant must be the original choreographer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Entries with added graphics in the video are not accepted. If used, cite background music on the entry form (title, composer and performer). Videos must not exceed five minutes or 1,000 MB (1,000 megabyte). Accepted file formats: MP4, MOV, AVI.
  • Film Production: Accepted short film styles include: Animation, narrative, documentary, experimental or media presentation. Use of PowerPoint is prohibited. Entrant must be the screenwriter, cinematographer, editor and producer. If used, cite background music on the entry form (title, composer and performer). Videos must not exceed five minutes or 1,000 MB. Accepted file formats: MP4, MOV, AVI.
  • Literature: Accepted forms of fiction and nonfiction include: prose, poetry, reflective essay, screen play and play script, narrative and short story. Collections of literary work are not accepted. Entrants may write in their primary language as long as an interpretive English translation is provided. Original illustrations are accepted, but only the writing is judged. Writing can be handwritten or typed (8.5x11, one-sided) and up to 2,000 words. Number pages. Accepted file format: PDF.
  • Music Composition: All music styles and combinations of instrumentation are accepted. Entrant must be the composer and may also be the performer, or one of the performers. Software may be used to produce an audio recording. Entries containing algorithmic composition techniques are not accepted. Audio recording is required and must not exceed five minutes or 1,000 MB. Accepted file formats: MP3, WAV. Notation (score/tablature/reflective statement) is required for middle and high school divisions only and does not replace the required entry artist statement. Accepted file format: PDF. See guidelines for accepted notation detail.
  • Photography: Photo must be a single print/digital image. Collages, collections of photos and/or photos with added graphics are not accepted. Entrant must be the photographer and may use a variety of digital editing techniques. Print images: between 3x5 to 8x10 inches. Digital images: at least 640x960 pixels and 300 dpi resolution. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG.
  • Visual Arts: Works of both fine and design arts in 2D or 3D formats are accepted. See guidelines for specifics. 2D artworks must not exceed 24x30 inches, including matting and must include at least one digital image of artwork. 3D artwork must contain 3 digital images of artwork at different angles. Accepted file formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG.

The deadline to enter will be November 30, 2026. Winners at the school level will be announced by later. Greenville District winners are usually announced in late February, and South Carolina PTA winners are usually announced in early March. The winning artists in each category will be recognized at Wade's Awards Night in late spring.

You can enter in as many categories and as many times as you wish.  

  • Each entry must be accompanied by a Student Entry Form that is completed online.  
  • Size restrictions for photography and visual arts apply.  
  • Time and size restrictions apply for dance and music entries.  
  • Word limits apply for literature.  

Reglas para estudiantes (PDF)

  • Rules for each art category are listed in the entry form.
  • Make sure to view those rules prior to submitting the form

Reflections Online Entry Form