Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. (PWLS) is the only national youth sports organization in America that requires its participants to perform adequately in the classroom before permitting them to play.

Pop Warner believes that the standards they have set give these children a sense of responsibility and an appreciation for academics and athletics that will help them develop later on in life.

Like such organizations as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and National Federation of High Schools (NFHS), PWLS has academic guidelines and criteria that need to be met in order for a child to participate.

Proof of satisfactory progress in school is required. A 2.0/70% or the equivalent shall be the minimum grade point average acceptable to participate.

 

Each year, the most academically accomplished Pop Warner kids compete for Academic All-American status. This process begins at the association level and up through each of the eight Pop Warner regions to the national level.

In 2010, over 400,000 kids participated in Pop Warner. 280+ First Team members, over 5,000 Second Team members and 2,000+ Honorable Mention scholars were named as Academic All-Americans at the National Level for 2008-2009.

The PWLS All-American Program requires a minimum 96% grade point average to apply for All-American status. After the applications have been processed, Pop Warner determines National First Team All-Americans (35 football, 35 cheer per grade), National Second Team All-Americans and National Honorable Mention Scholars.

 

All-American selection process

A final score is calculated for each student that consists of up to 100 points (85%) for the student's grades for the prior school year, along with up to 18 points (15%) awarded for the attached Addendum sheet of activities and achievements. Once the scores have been calculated, First Team All-Americans are selected. The top 35 football players and 25 cheerleaders per grade (plus ties) are selected as National First Team All-Americans. Second Team All-Americans are then determined by Pop Warner based upon the number of applications that were submitted for that year.

 

Annual Scholastic Banquet

Pop Warner hosts an awards program each year to celebrate the accomplishments of their participants. Scholarships are awarded and those that have contributed and served as exemplary ambassadors for Pop Warner, are recognised.

Nationally, First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention All-Americans are selected, and scholarships for higher education to the most deserving students in grades 8 and above are awarded.

The Pop Warner Scholastic Banquet has become a staple at Disney venues. Through 2009, the event alternated annually between Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

However, beginning in 2010 with the special 50th Annual Scholastic Banquet, the venue will be rotated across the country.

The 2010 Scholastic Banquet took place in Philadelphia, the birthplace of Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc., while the 2011 All-American Scholar Weekend was held in downtown Chicago at the Marriott, Magnificent Mile.. In 2012 it was held at Disney's Beach Club Resort in Lake Buena Vista. In 2013 it was held in Boston. In 2014 it will be held in Back at Disney World at a yet to be announced location. All Scholastic All-Americans (1st Team, 2nd Team & Honorable Mention) are eligible to attend the PWLS National All-American Banquet.

Scholar tributes

Since the Dinner Program is a balance of recognizing adult honorees and the Scholars, the morning ceremony provides the opportunity to focus solely on the children. This informal event will include brief congratulatory remarks from various speakers.

Those Scholars who attend will receive a certificate if they are the First or Second team. Senior Scholars (8th grade and above First Team All-Americans) will receive an engraved plaque. Every Scholar present will also receive gifts donated by Pop Warner sponsors, companies, and various NFL Teams.

A professional photographer will also be on hand to capture the moments of every child being honored.

Dinner banquet

In the evening, Pop Warner recognizes its top scholar-athletes and deserving adults outside of Pop Warner who have contributed to the advancement of academics and athletics in the United States. Various Pop Warner friends and supporters are awarded each year for their contributions towards serving the youth and community. These awardees range from various public figures to businessmen to professional athletes.

A special highlight of the evening is always the announcement of scholarships to those First Team All-Americans in 8th grade and above. Since 1993, nearly $1,000,000 in scholarship dollars has been awarded through the Pop Warner Awards Program.