2027 NHD-CA Virtual Contest
For Online Schools
The NHD-CA Virtual Contest is ONLY for students, grades 4 - 12, who attend an online or virtual school. These students will not compete at a county contest. Instead, they will register and submit projects through NHD-CA.
Projects will be evaluated by judges from across the state and top projects will advance to the state contest.
NO INTERVIEWS
After verifying your account, select “Virtual” from the Contest by County dropdown. You will choose your county in a later step.
Steps to Learn More
Attend Zoom Information Meeting
Complete an Interest Form
How Does It Work?
REGISTRATION
Teachers must register first to create projects and add students. Students must also register in order to participate.
Registration Opens January 20, 2027
Registration Closes / projects uploaded, February 8, 2027.
Fee: $40 per student
After verifying your account, select “Virtual” from the Contest by County dropdown. You will choose your county in a later step.
PROJECT SUBMISSION
All entry categories including exhibits and posters will be submitted electronically by February 8, 2027.
More information on project submissions coming soon.
Students will not participate in an Interview for the virtual contest
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Elementary, Junior, and Senior Division finalists will be eligible to compete at the state contest.
PROJECTS MAY BE REVISED BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM JUDGES.
STUDENTS CHOOSING TO ATTEND THE STATE CONTEST IN THE POSTER & EXHIBIT CATEGORIES MUST BRING A PHYSICAL PROJECT TO THE STATE CONTEST.
NHD-CA STATE CONTEST
Invited finalists may attend the NHD-CA California state contest in May. Students in the Junior and Senior divisions will be competing for an opportunity to advance to the national contest in June*.
FINALISTS MUST MEET ALL DEADLINES, INCLUDING REGISTRATION & PAYMENT ($115 per student) FOR THE NHD-CA STATE CONTEST.
IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE & INTERVIEWS REQUIRED.
*Podcasts projects do not advance to the National competition.
2026-27 Timeline
August 27th
School Information Meeting 3:30 PM
January 20th
Registration Opens
February 8th
Registration Closes
February 8th
Projects Due
March 19th
State Qualifiers Announced
March 31st
Deadline for Finalists to register for NHD-CA State Contest
May 7th - 9th
NHD-CA Contest at Sac State
Registered Finalist Student Interviews
Sacramento County Office of Education
NHD-CA
P.O. Box 269003
Sacramento, CA 95826
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