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Home / Constituent Services / Congressional Page Program
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The U.S. House of Representatives offers an exciting opportunity for students to participate as Congressional Pages during their junior year of high school. This unique program gives participants the opportunity to meet students from around the U.S., attend special classes and seminars at the Page School, and serve the country's leaders while working in the House of Representatives. Currently, 72 young men and women are appointed by Members of Congress to serve as Pages in the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress offers both a summer Page program and a school year Page program.
APPLICATION
The Speaker of the House’s Office selects the Pages and the Speaker's Office will only accept applications submitted by a congressional office. The Speaker's office will not accept applications from students directly. Eligible students from the Thirteenth Congressional District who wish to be considered for a Page position must submit their completed application to Congressman Scott’s office for review and recommendation. To receive an application, please contact the Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2939 to tell a member of my staff of your interest in participating in the Page program.
ELIGIBILITY
School Year Program
To be eligible for the school year, applicants must:
• be 16 years of age at the time of their appointment
• be in their junior year of high school
• have a cumulative grade point average of "B" (3.0) or better in all major courses to date
Summer Program
To be eligible for the summer program, applicants must:
• be 16 years of age at the time of their appointment
• have a "B" (3.0) average or better
• be willing to serve as a Page for one month during the summer before or after their junior year of high school
The definition of a "B" average is a 3.0 on a 4 point scale, or an 80 or better on a 100 point scale.
Requirements for Application
An official transcript of all grades (from 9th grade through at least the first semester of current year) is required to verify the cumulative grade point average of "B" or better in major courses. In addition to the application form and transcript, the following items are required:
• Signed parental consent form
• Social Security number
• 50-100 word essay on why you want to become a Democratic Page
• Resume of extra-curricular activities
• Three letters of recommendation
After reviewing the application, transcript, and additional items, Congressman Scott will choose one to two candidates to recommend for each Page program, and submit a letter of recommendation to the Speaker's office in Washington, D.C. The Speaker's office will then select 72 Pages for each program on a competitive basis from the pool of nominees.
Please Note: The 109th Congress is currently controlled by a Republican majority, affording Republican Members priority over Democratic Members in nominating and appointing Pages. The Democratic Leader’s Office regulates the Democratic Page nomination process for the 24 Page slots allotted to Democratic Members based on seniority.
PAGE SCHOOL
During the school year Page program, the Pages attend five 40 minute classes at the Page School, which is located on the fourth floor of the Library of Congress Jefferson Building. This special school is for the school year Pages only. The summer Pages do not attend.
Accreditation
The Page School is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Courses
Students select five courses in the following subject areas:
• American, British, or World Literature (all with composition), or Humanities
• Algebra II/Trigonometry; Trigonometry/Pre Calculus or Pre Calculus
• Physics or Chemistry
• U.S. History or Government and Politics
• Intermediate or Advanced French or Spanish
First year language courses are not offered, nor are Advanced Placement courses. All school year Pages participate on alternate Saturdays in a Washington seminar program called WISP (Washington Interdisciplinary Studies Program).
WORKDAYS
School Year Workdays
Pages are employees of the House and the work they perform is important. The work is one of the most unique components of the Page experience. Pages work as a team an not in individual Members’ offices.
The workday begins immediately following the last class at the Page School. It extends to at least 5:00 p.m., or until after the House adjourns for the day, depending on whichever is later. During the course of the day, the Pages accumulate points for "runs" (or deliveries). Those with the highest number or points are excused early when the House goes into late night sessions.
Page duties consist primarily of delivery of correspondence, legislative material and small packages with the Congressional complex. The Pages report to their Page supervisor, where the first order of the day may be filing the Congressional Record from the previous day's proceedings. A few Pages are assigned to answer phones in the Members’ Cloakroom, taking messages for Members, calling them to the phone if they are in the House Chamber and preparing the House Floor for sessions. Still others monitor a telephone bank of incoming requests for Page service. A rotation system is practiced so that every Page has an opportunity to experience the various areas of service.
Summer Workdays
The summer workdays begin at 9 a.m.
DRESS CODE
Boys' Dress Code
The dress required for males is a navy blazer, long sleeved white shirt, dark gray slacks, dark socks, dark shoes and a standard issue tie.
Girls' Dress Code
The dress required for females is a navy blazer, long sleeved white blouse, dark gray skirt or dark gray pants, dark shoes, appropriate hose and a standard issue tie.
Standard Issue Ties
The ties are provided during orientation and are navy with red and white stripes. Pages will be charged for any uniform tie requested over the one allotted.
HOUSING
All Pages are required to live at the Page Residence Hall at 501 First Street, S.E. A resident manager and four adult proctors living on the premises are responsible for supervision. The first floor is set aside for males and the second floor for females. The Pages agree in writing to abide by a strict Code of Conduct, which includes a curfew of 10 p.m. on the weeknights, and midnight on the weekends.
Furnishings
The triple rooms are furnished with twin beds, night stands, dressers, desks, and chairs. Each of the rooms has a large walk-in closet, a study area, toll controlled telephone, a small refrigerator, private bathroom and two air-conditioning units. Pages are responsible for providing their own twin sheets and pillow cases, towels, pillows, hangers, and any small accessories such as desk lamps, book ends and photographs, which may make life more comfortable and pleasant. A community room with a color television and microwave oven is available on each floor. A free laundry room is located in the building.
COMPENSATION
The Pages are paid approximately $1,461.67 per month, with an automatic payroll deduction of $400 to cover the cost of the dorm and five dinners weekly. Pages are paid on the last working days of the month, as are all House employees.
EXPENSES
Pages are responsible for their transportation to and from Washington, their uniform, weekend breakfasts and lunches, school supplies and all incidental expenses. In addition, a one-time refundable security deposit of $100 payable to the U.S. Treasury is required for the dorm.
Before making your decision:
Please keep in mind that Pages are employees of the U.S. House of Representatives, and are an important part of the legislative process. Before making your decision to take part in this exciting opportunity, it is imperative that you understand that all family activities, as well as home school, and community activities, which would interrupt your Page school and/or work activities must be put on hold until you are no longer a Page. Pages will not be permitted to return home to attend family reunions, parent promotion ceremonies, family trips, home school activities such as conferences, sports events, proms, etc., if they occur during the school and/or work week.
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