What one practice has been most instrumental to your school’s success? 2016 NBRS awardee application responses were analyzed to find commonalities, broad themes, and potential demographic differences. The infographic captures four key drivers of National Blue Ribbon School success. Nearly two thirds (65%) of the responses named either Student Supports (34%) or Instruction (31%), while Read More
Every day, students in grades 3-5 do the “Math Shuffle” to receive math instruction in small groups. Based on student pre-tests at the beginning of each concept unit, students are grouped into enrichment or heterogenous groups, allowing students to master math based on their individual math background and skills. The brainchild of a School Board Read More
About 12 years ago, following a careful analysis, The Cranbury School (Cranbury, NJ), began “The Math Shuffle.” Taking advantage of its K-8 structure, Cranbury leaders revamped the schedule so that every morning, middle school math teachers “push in” to math instruction classes in grades 3-5. During the Shuffle, students, and sometimes teachers, move around to Read More
Now in its sixth year, Green Valley Ranch High School (Denver, CO) has a peerless record: 100% graduate rate, 100% college-going rate each year. A STEM-focused high school that has attracted a traditionally underserved student population, Green Valley Ranch High supports students through a strong community and higher-than-average academic demands. Director Jenna Kalin and others Read More
The DSST (Denver School of Science and Technology) network, part of Denver Public Schools, was founded in 2005 to expand educational opportunities through open enrollment in STEM-focused schools. Green Valley Ranch High School opened in 2011 and has seen 100% of its seniors graduate and go on to college. Green Valley Ranch High School operates Read More
The first of four site visit videos of selected 2016 National Blue Ribbon Schools is now live. High Tech Makes Learning Personal illustrates how staff at the Alan B. Shepard Middle School in Deerfield, Illinois meets students “where they are” by giving students access to new technologies and creating a culture of collaboration and experimentation Read More
About five years ago, the community of Deerfield, Illinois, came together to anticipate the educational needs of future generations. Alan Shepard Middle School has led the way. First converting the junior high school to the more student-centered middle school model, leaders at Shepard then expanded students’ encore options (as distinct from core—math, ELA, science, and Read More
Excellence Girls Charter School (Brooklyn, New York) was founded, at parents’ urging, as a companion to Excellence Boys Charter School, part of the Uncommon Schools network. Led by Nikki Bowen, Principal of the Elementary Academy, and Meredith Anderson, Principal of the Middle Academy, Excellence Girls is dedicated to preparing young women to be “fierce females”—confident, Read More
Nikki Bowen and Meredith Anderson, the principals of Uncommon Schools Excellence Girls Charter School (Brooklyn, NY), are committed to changing history. Anderson, the middle school principal explains, “We know that all students can be successful, and that, in particular, girls can achieve.” In a nation that hasn’t traditionally held high expectations for girls, especially girls Read More