PTAs and Schools Across the Country Designated as Schools of Excellence for Strong Family-School Partnerships

PTAs and Schools Across the Country Designated as Schools of Excellence for Strong Family-School Partnerships

Heidi May Wilson, Senior Manager, Media Relations

703-518-1242

[email protected]

ALEXANDRIA, Va., (Aug. 5, 2024)-National PTA is pleased to honor 319 PTAs and schools from across the country and Department of Defense schools in Europe with the 2023-2025 School of Excellence designation for building strong partnerships between families and their school that are enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. National PTA is also pleased to recognize the following three top Schools of Excellence with its 2024 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award-the highest honor presented by the association to celebrate effective family-school partnerships:

Phoebe Apperson Hearst Outstanding Family-School Partnership Award
Beacon Park PTA (Irvine, Calif.)

Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Award of Merit
Highland Middle PTSA (Bellevue, Wash.)
Alice E. Carlson Elementary PTA (Fort Worth, Texas)

"At PTA, we strongly believe that family-school partnerships are critical and that it truly takes all of us working together to support our students' success and improve our schools," said Yvonne Johnson, president of National PTA. "We are thrilled to honor Beacon Park PTA, Highland Middle PTSA, Alice E. Carlson Elementary PTA and all of the 2023-2025 School of Excellence designees for their commitment to building strong, effective family-school partnerships that have and are continuing to make a positive impact for all students, families and their schools."

Through National PTA's School of Excellence program, PTAs and schools make a year-long commitment to strengthen family-school partnerships. Throughout the year, PTAs and schools collect feedback from their school communities and create and implement plans of action to improve family engagement based on PTA's National Standards for Family-School Partnerships. During the process, PTAs and families become key partners in decision-making and school improvement efforts. The program opens the lines of communication and critical thinking within school communities to make data-drive decisions that help create an environment where families feel welcomed, included and empowered to support their child's success and where students feel safe, supported and ready to learn.

"Our 2023-2025 National PTA School of Excellence designees and 2024 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award honorees are examples of the amazing things that can be achieved when schools and families work together to accomplish a common goal," added Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. "As demonstrated by these PTAs and schools, strong family-school partnerships are essential to make a difference for our students and schools and help every child reach their full potential."

Enrollment is now open for the 2024-2025 School of Excellence program. The deadline to enroll is Oct. 15. For more information about the program and to enroll, visit PTA.org/Excellence.

About National PTA

National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of family engagement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health and welfare of children and youth. For more information, visit PTA.org.