What one practice has been most instrumental to your school’s success? 2018 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 Instruction (33%) or Student Supports (32%) while 28% named school structure and 7% identified curriculum. The infographic also provides snapshots of example practices and schools in each key driver. Links to the NBRS website provide a closer look at each example school.
To view a downloadable/print version Click Here To view the demographic statistical overview for 2018 Click Here
Data-driven Instruction
Instructional Supports
Leeton Elementary School, Leeton, MO
Utilizing data to understand student needs goes beyond student achievement data to make informed decisions by including parent and student surveys.
Utilizing data to understand student needs goes beyond student achievement data to make informed decisions by including parent and student surveys.
Mariemont Elementary School, Cincinnati, OH
Flexible and intentional learning environments support independent practice, whole group meetings, and small group instruction.
Flexible and intentional learning environments support independent practice, whole group meetings, and small group instruction.
Center Point-Urbana High School, Center Point, IA
Instructional practice is informed by Data Teams structured by content area using a five-step data review process to analyze data, identify strengths and challenges, and prioritize needs.
Instructional practice is informed by Data Teams structured by content area using a five-step data review process to analyze data, identify strengths and challenges, and prioritize needs.
East Greenwich High School, East Greenwich, RI
A multi-step performance-based task process associated with each course provides students multiple and varied opportunities to demonstrate proficiency.
A multi-step performance-based task process associated with each course provides students multiple and varied opportunities to demonstrate proficiency.
Falmouth High School, Falmouth, ME
A student-centered team approach to RTI and MTSS provide a systematic, coordinated, and intentional mechanism to problem-solve and adapt instruction and intervention in real-time.
A student-centered team approach to RTI and MTSS provide a systematic, coordinated, and intentional mechanism to problem-solve and adapt instruction and intervention in real-time.
Steller Secondary School, Anchorage, AK
Students take responsibility for defining their own educational goals, selecting or devising a course of study and assisting to continuously evaluate their performance.
Students take responsibility for defining their own educational goals, selecting or devising a course of study and assisting to continuously evaluate their performance.
Social-emotional Focus
School Culture
Settles Bridge Elementary School, Suwanee, GA
Teachers and leaders promote relationship-building by meeting the needs of the whole child while inspiring them to excel.
Teachers and leaders promote relationship-building by meeting the needs of the whole child while inspiring them to excel.
Central Valley School, Buxton, ND
A focus on student engagement creates an atmosphere in the school where critical thinking, problem-solving, fun, and excitement abound.
A focus on student engagement creates an atmosphere in the school where critical thinking, problem-solving, fun, and excitement abound.
The STEM Early College at NC A&T, Greensboro, NC
Integrating character development, service learning, and STEM serve as a foundation to innovation.
Integrating character development, service learning, and STEM serve as a foundation to innovation.
Cascade Senior High School, Clayton, IN
High expectations for students is matched by intentionally planning and supporting a growth mindset and school culture.
High expectations for students is matched by intentionally planning and supporting a growth mindset and school culture.
West Shore Junior/Senior High School, Melbourne, FL
Weekly Small Learning Communities (SLC) focused on the social-emotional needs of students foster an environment of caring and commitment.
Weekly Small Learning Communities (SLC) focused on the social-emotional needs of students foster an environment of caring and commitment.
Captain Johnston Blakely Elementary School, Bainbridge Island, WA
Creating a culture where student voice is actively used to engage students accelerates student learning.
Creating a culture where student voice is actively used to engage students accelerates student learning.
Collaborative Culture
Empowered Teachers/Effective Leaders
University of Hartford Magnet School, West Hartford, CT
Collaborative grade-level coaching rounds encourages collegiality, increases teacher confidence, and increases trust.
Collaborative grade-level coaching rounds encourages collegiality, increases teacher confidence, and increases trust.
James Fallon Elementary School, Wayne, NJ
Creating a positive learning environment helped establish a partnership between the principal and teachers, students and parents.
Creating a positive learning environment helped establish a partnership between the principal and teachers, students and parents.
KIPP DC Promise Academy Charter School, Washington, DC
Teachers are provided planned opportunities to work as a collaborative team to motivate each other, learn from each other, plan together, and reflect on practice.
Teachers are provided planned opportunities to work as a collaborative team to motivate each other, learn from each other, plan together, and reflect on practice.
Homer Middle School, Homer, AK
Recruiting, retaining, and sustaining a great staff is done through intentional planning and having a proactive approach to hiring opportunities in the future.
Recruiting, retaining, and sustaining a great staff is done through intentional planning and having a proactive approach to hiring opportunities in the future.
Anne L. Magee Elementary School, Edinburg, TX
Teamwork is a philosophy that drives collaborative peer mentoring and observation, vertical alignment, grade level meetings, and trainings.
Teamwork is a philosophy that drives collaborative peer mentoring and observation, vertical alignment, grade level meetings, and trainings.
Bloomsburg Area High School, Bloomsburg, PA
Investing in teacher capacity rather than a revolving door of programs and initiatives allows teachers to focus on student learning.
Investing in teacher capacity rather than a revolving door of programs and initiatives allows teachers to focus on student learning.
English Language Arts
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
Mesa Academy for Advanced Studies, Mesa, AZ
Intentionally embedding literacy across all content areas has created a culture of literacy and improved student outcomes.
Intentionally embedding literacy across all content areas has created a culture of literacy and improved student outcomes.
Christ the Teacher School, Fort Lee, NJ
An emphasis on engineering and integration of math skills, laboratory sessions, and technology have boosted student problem-solving skills.
An emphasis on engineering and integration of math skills, laboratory sessions, and technology have boosted student problem-solving skills.