Verify that your school is enrolled in the "Scripp's National Spelling Bee". You can ask your school principal if the school is enrolled. If the school is not enrolled, ask your principal to enroll your school or you will need to attend a school that is enrolled. The school can enroll online at "Scripp's National Spelling Bee's" website during the open enrollment period in mid-August of the qualifying year.
Qualify for the "Scripp's National Spelling Bee" before you enter the ninth grade and turn 15 years of age. Only those contestants in eighth grade or lower can enter the competition. Your entry will also be void if you have received a high school diploma, a parent or school official declared to another educational entity that you were in a grade higher than the eighth grade or you enrolled in more than six high school-level courses or two college-level courses before the April deadline of the competing year.
Attend all of your school classes. You can't circumvent any of your scheduled school classes to study or prepare for the national spelling bee.
Win a final local spelling bee, such as your school district's final spelling bee, or a city or statewide spelling bee, by the February deadline of the qualifying year.
Submit a "Champion Bio Profile" which summarizes the contestants wins, interests and talents, a signed appearance consent and release form, and a hard-copy photo when you have qualified to the "Scripps National Spelling Bee". These forms are available on their website in mid-August of the qualifying year during the enrollment period.