NFHS Citations are awarded to individuals whose contributions have impacted high school activity programs through their association with one of the following groups of professionals: state associations and NFHS staff, athletic directors, coaches, officials, music adjudicators and directors, and speech, debate and theatre directors.

The NFHS Performing Arts School of Excellence is celebrated each year in October as part of National High School Activities Month, an initiative that serves to remind students, parents, coaches, administrators and others in communities across the country about the values and benefits of high school activity programs.

Since 1988 when the first Outstanding Speech/Debate/Theatre Educator Awards were presented, 246 individuals have received section awards and 400 have been honored with state awards. The Outstanding Music Educator Awards began in 1989, and 206 individuals have received section awards and another 379 have been honored with state awards. The Outstanding Theatre Award was given for the first time in 2023, separating it from the Outstanding Speech/Debate Educator Award, with six section and six state awards presented. 

The National High School Heart of the Arts Award was started by the NFHS in 2014. Over the past decade, the NFHS has utilized the honor to commend individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive heart of the arts and represent the core mission of education-based activities.