Poetry Out Loud
Poetry Out Loud® lifts poetry off the page, creating community and connection. Through this program, high school students across the country participate in a dynamic poetry recitation competition that is designed to improve their public speaking skills, help build confidence, and teach them about literary history and contemporary life.
Register Your School for Poetry Out Loud 2027
Register your school for Poetry Out Loud and give students the chance to build confidence, strengthen public speaking skills, and connect with literature in a dynamic way. It’s a meaningful program that brings poetry to life in the classroom and on the stage.
2026 Poetry Out Loud State Finals
Each year, the Poetry Out Loud State Finals bring energy, passion, and powerful performances to the historic Smyrna Opera House. It’s an inspiring celebration of student voice, confidence, and the power of poetry shared live on stage.
What is Poetry Out Loud?
Poetry Out Loud is a fun, participatory way to teach poetry and meet Delaware’s English Language Arts requirements. Free, standards-based curriculum materials are available for all participating schools. Participating schools also have the opportunity to work with teaching artists who give workshops on poetry recitation for students.
Poetry Out Loud (POL) is a national program that encourages the study of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamic recitation competition to high schools across the country. The program uses a pyramid structure that begins at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals in Washington, DC. More than 100,000 students are expected to take part in POL nationwide each year.
Experienced poetry teaching artists will be available to work with you to implement the POL curriculum. Teachers and students may request cost-free virtual or in-person assistance in selecting poems, poetry performance techniques, and implementing the program. Guidance in requesting and hosting teaching artist residencies to help your school participate in this program is available at any time. The guidance program will include teacher training workshops, classroom workshops for students and one-on-one coaching sessions with school winners. Judges for the Poetry Out Loud Finals are selected for their backgrounds in literature, poetry, and theater.
The Delaware Division of the Arts will provide guidance in running your school’s Poetry Out Loud program and is happy to answer any questions or concerns.
Contact Us
Briana Henry
Program Officer
302-577-8282
briana.henry@delaware.gov
Important Dates
August 21, 2026
Registration Opens
October 30, 2026
Registration Deadline
September-December 2026
Classroom Instruction/Competitions
December 18, 2026
Deadline to Report School Winners
January – February 2027
School Coaching and Preparation
February 18, 2027
Delaware State Finals
TBD
National Poetry Out Loud Finals
Previous All Competitions
Explore the history of Poetry Out Loud and look back at past competitions and celebrate the students who brought poetry to life on stage. It’s a great way to revisit memorable performances and see the talent, confidence, and creativity that have shaped the program over the years.
