SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
The National PTA School of Excellence program is a national recognition program that supports and celebrates partnerships between local PTAs and schools to strengthen family engagement and improve student well-being. Through this program, PTAs gain structured ways to engage families in school decision-making — including improvements to programs, practices, and policies related to education, health, safety, or the arts. Schools that complete the program earn a two-year national designation as a PTA School of Excellence.
Why It Matters
Over 40 years of research shows increased family engagement is linked to school improvement and student achievement. The School of Excellence program helps PTAs and schools:
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Engage their community and gauge trends in family engagement
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Identify and implement best practices aligned to the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships
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Build inclusive and welcoming school communities
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Share success and highlight the value of PTA
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Attract new, action-oriented PTA members
2025 - 2027 South Carolina Schools of Excellence are:
🏆Sterling School PTA in Greenville, South Carolina
🏆Windsor Hill Elementary School PTA in North Charleston, South Carolina
Steps to Becoming a National PTA School of Excellence
Once enrolled, you will receive access to an online toolkit with step-by-step instructions on how to run your program and achieve your school improvement goals. As you implement strategies to enhance family engagement at your school, you can expect National PTA to provide training, resources, program reminders, and timely responses to your questions.
May 1 - Oct. 15: Enroll, learn about the program, recruit support and volunteers, and prepare to gather feedback (Step #1).
July - Dec. 15: Gather and analyze initial community feedback, set early goals and prepare to complete Feedback Form (Step #2).
Dec. 15 - April: Build and implement Excellence Action Plan based on feedback and early goals (Step #3).
April - June 15: Gather final community feedback, measure and describe impact to prepare to complete Impact Form (Step #4).
June 15 - August: Confirm eligibility and prepare to celebrate (Step #5).
August: School of Excellence Designees and Hearst Award recipients announced (Step #5).