Eleven seniors at the Gatton Academy have begun the school year by being named semifinalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Program, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

Those students, who represent almost 20 percent of the Academy senior class, will move forward to the next round of competition to try to become finalists, according to the press release.

To be entered in the competition, students must take the PSAT in their junior year of high school, and must score in the top one percent of their state’s high school seniors in order to be named a semifinalist, according to the press release.

To become a finalist, semifinalists must meet additional requirements, such as taking the SAT, showing a record of high academic performance and being recommended by a high school official, according to the press release.

Finalists will be announced in winter 2011, according to the press release.