Brighton High School (Rochester, NY). Over the past five years, Brighton High School’s graduation rates increased from 89% in 2013 to 96% in 2017. Graduation rates increased for African American students from 55% to 95%, for students in poverty from 78% to 97%, for students with special needs from 65% to 82%, and for Hispanic… Continue Reading Increasing Student Graduations
West Shore Junior/Senior High School (Melbourne, FL). To meet increasing college and career readiness requirements, West Shore offers students a Diploma of Distinction. To earn this diploma, a student must complete 28 credits (beyond state requirements); 25 hours of service learning each year; demonstrate leadership experience through clubs, sports, or activities; and receive at least… Continue Reading Diplomas of Distinction
Chenango Forks High School (Binghamton, NY). Chenango Forks High School opened its new STEAM Academy in January 2018. The Academy offers individualized pathways that address students’ diverse career interests, learning styles, and schedule. The Academy partners with several colleges/universities to offer Advanced Placement and career opportunities, including Spanish for the Professions, Residential Construction, Early Childhood… Continue Reading Rural STEAM Work-Based Learning
The desire to build and sustain a culture of excellence and innovation drives Principal Demetrios Demopoulos’s leadership style, and his humble beginnings had a lasting impact on his views of education. Principal Demopoulos’s path began in a small town in Greece where the value of education was sparked by family and reinforced by influential teachers… Continue Reading Demetrios Demopoulos, Principal Archimedean Upper Conservatory Miami, FL
Founded in 2008, the goal of Northwest Early College High School (NWECHS) is for students to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree from El Paso Community College (EPCC). The school, consisting of 28 portable classrooms, is located on the edge of EPCC northwest campus. In 2014, Tracy Speaker-Gerstheimer, became principal just two… Continue Reading Tracy Speaker-Gerstheimer, Principal Northwest Early College High School El Paso, TX
Nongongoma Majova-Seane brought a philosophy and passion grounded in the African concept of Ubuntu, or human kindness, to Stanton College Preparatory School. It is the idea that humanity is interconnected and that “I am because we are.” As a child growing up in Soweto, South Africa under the reign of apartheid, Majova-Seane was inspired by… Continue Reading Nongongoma Majova-Seane, Principal Stanton College Preparatory School Jacksonville, FL
University Academy—Upper School Kansas City, MO University Academy Upper School is a 9-12 high school located in Kansas City, Missouri and is on a mission to prepare students, not only for college admission, but also for college success. With a high school graduation rate of 100%, this mission-focused public charter high school located in an… Continue Reading Audio: College Readiness Through Mastery Learning and Teaching
In order to spread knowledge of innovative and successful school practices, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program profiles a number of schools from each year’s cohort. Stories are added as they are produced. Still Making the Grade showcases the Brooklyn (NY) School for Global Scholars, P.S. 748. Originally designed as a district-based application school for… Continue Reading 2017 National Blue Ribbon Schools – Selected Profiles
Massapequa High School (Massapequa, NY). Massapequa High School encourages staff members to learn from one another. For instance, currently the teachers participate in a “Pineapple Chart” process where they open-up their classrooms, announce lesson subjects via a posting board, and welcome colleagues to visit. These activities impact students as they witness staff professional growth efforts,… Continue Reading Visitation Posting Board and a TLC
Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School (ADOMHS) (Los Angeles, CA). ADOMHS has prioritized its partnership with parents by appointing a Parent Engagement Specialist to interact with and encourage parent participation on campus. The Parent Engagement Specialist hosts community events (such as the monthly Town Hall Meetings) and encourages parents to volunteer at school and attend… Continue Reading Parent Specialist, Monthly Town Hall Meetings