2022 Iris: Art + Lit magazine earns highest NCTE award

This winter, the 2022 Iris: Art + Lit magazine learned from the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) that they were the recipients of a REALM First Class Award.

The REALM awards are the highest award a magazine can earn from NCTE. This year, 262 literary magazines were submitted to the national competition for review and of that number, 38 received the elite designation of REALM First Class. 

To earn a REALM First Class award, national reviewers complete first round judging based on a point system and magazines scoring 93–100 are recommended for REALM First Class distinction. Publications then go on to an additional level of review by the REALM Advisory Committee at NCTE’s Annual Convention in November where the Committee determines whether a magazine meets enough criteria to win the honor of REALM First Class.

"The magazine's consistently high recognition from NCTE is a testament to the strength of our Upper School English and Fine Arts programs," says Director of Publication Kathryn Campbell. "It says a lot about the way our teachers ignite creativity with their expertise and encouragement. Every year when I work with the designers, I'm so inspired by how our students use their creative talents to amplify voices and shape ideas, and filled with gratitude for our faculty."