To help students reach their full potential, additional challenges beyond the standard curriculum may be necessary for some. In Dutch secondary vocational education, education for talented students is organized in two prevalent ways: through participation in honors programs that foster community building and through professional competitions. Given the apparent contradiction and potential tension between community building and competition, this research explores these concepts and their interplay to create optimal learning environments for talented students. A scoping review was conducted, analyzing 101 studies and identifying six overarching themes: Added Value, Characteristics & Conditions, Design & Development, Collaboration, Membership & the Role of Actors, and Enhanced Learning & the Role of Actors. Findings confirmed the benefits of both community building and competition in honors education. Despite a literature gap regarding their combination, this review provides insights into how these concepts can be merged to create enriching learning environments by synthesizing the themes. © The Author(s) 2025.
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