WHAT IS THE NATIONAL ESEA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS PROGRAM?

The National ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is a project of NAESPA that publicly recognizes qualifying federally-funded schools for positive educational advances and the outstanding academic achievement of their students.

Established in 1996, the program showcases hundreds of schools identified by the State Education Agency for their success in one of three categories:



CATEGORY 1

Schools exhibiting exceptional student performance and academic growth

 



CATEGORY 2

Schools that have closed the achievement gap between student groups



CATEGORY 3

Schools that show excellence in serving special populations of students (e.g. homeless, migrant, English learners, etc.)




HOW ARE SCHOOLS SELECTED?

Schools are named by their State Education Agency (up to two schools per state) and collectively exhibit the following common characteristics:

  • A poverty rate of at least 35% for the selected year (may use the state’s average poverty rate to qualify a school if below 35%)
  • Demonstrated high academic achievement (which may include high academic growth)
  • Met or exceeded state-determined accountability criteria
  • Must be federally funded by one or more ESEA programs


The school selection process is open to from October 7 - November 15, 2024.



HOW SCHOOLS ARE HONORED?

All National ESEA Distinguished Schools are honored with a commemorative award package, a dedicated section on the ESEA Network website, and a special presentation at the National ESEA Conference. Throughout the National ESEA Conference, select sessions feature Stories of Success from Distinguished Schools, highlighting the notable work they have done to make significant improvements for their students. Distinguished School attendees are celebrated during several exclusive Conference events.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS USING THE INTERACTIVE MAP BELOW

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Distinguished Schools
688 schools found
GRADES SCHOOL SETTING TOWN POPULATION STUDENT ENROLLMENT YEAR SELECTED
Haines Elementary School Haines, AK k - 8 rural 2,554 169 2012
Delta Elementary School Delta Junction, AK pre k - 3 rural 5,000 268 2012
Mentasta Lake Katie John School Mentasta Lake, AK pre k - 12 rural 150 32 2013
Beryozova School Palmer, AK k - 12 rural 0 20 2014
Salcha Elementary School Fairbanks, AK k - 6 rural 1,095 71 2014
Chapman School Anchor Point, AK pre k - 8 rural 0 110 2015
Nikolaevsk School Nikolaevsk, AK k - 12 rural 350 64 2015
Larson Elementary School Palmer, AK pre k - 5 rural 9,748 402 2017
Willow Elementary School Willow, AK pre k - 5 rural 2,100 166 2018
Finger Lake Elementary School Wasilla, AK pre k - 5 urban 10 450 2018

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