Judging is key to the success of National History Day in Massachusetts! Hundreds of volunteer judges are needed to meet with students at regional and state-wide contests.  By volunteering your time, you are creating an opportunity for thousands of students to showcase their efforts.

Are you an educator? Come join us for NHD and earn professional development points! Teachers who judge at a regional and/or state competition will receive 10 PDPs per competition.

Judge registration for our 2025 regional competitions is now open! Please sign up using the links below.

How Does It Work?

NHD relies on consensus judging. Judges will be assigned to work in teams of three to review projects in their category (papers, websites, exhibits, performances, or documentaries) over a several day period. For more information, please check out the Quick Judging Links in the red sidebar on this page. 

As a judge, you are responsible for the following:

• Contact us as soon as possible if you cannot fulfill your commitment to judge. We may ask that you help us to find someone to fill your time slot.
• Pay careful attention as you review the  projects so that you can evaluate them well. Students have worked for months on their projects and are looking forward to this opportunity to share their work.
• Alert History Day staff to any conflicts of interest, including students you know personally or schools with which you have a close relationship.
• Set aside personal bias for or against topics. Judge each project based on the merits of the evidence and historical claim that the student presents.
• Contact History Day staff immediately if there are problems. We are here to help! 
• Support our NHD MA students and celebrate their achievements as you learn about a wide range of amazing histories!

Judge Training

All judges will be asked to review judging orientation materials in advance. We will also hold an orientation and have time for questions on the day of the competition. We appreciate your time and will do our best to make this experience rewarding for everyone involved!  If you have any questions, please contact us at nhd@masshist.org.