Five years ago, Hewetson Elementary School was rated one of the lowest performing schools in Nevada. Yet despite its many challenges, Hewetson was named an Exemplary Turn Around School for the 2009-2010 school year, the highest academic designation for Nevada schools. This success is the result of transforming the school from a low-achieving…

Serving as a new principal is not only demanding, it can also be a lonely job. But successful leadership doesn't happen in a vacuum, and principals need to know from their peers best practices about everything from focusing on instruction to planning fire drills. With this in mind, "Principal" magazine created a virtual roundtable--between…

In October 1984, Education Secretary William Bennett proclaimed 1985-86 the "Year of the Elementary School" and announced the Elementary School Recognition Program. The program's goal was to focus national attention on schools providing high-quality instructional and character development programs. This article lists the 270 winning…

Presents the 287 winners in the 1987-88 Elementary School Recognition Program, which considered 647 public and private school nominees in the U.S. The schools are diverse but have many common attributes, including a commitment to learning, high standards, and excellence. (MLH)

Inspired by an emotionally disturbed youngster impossible to discipline, one elementary school instituted a discipline policy providing humane and positive methods for managing most children's behavior. The primary goal is to alert children to wrongdoing using a ticketing system and to recognize good behavior through an honors policy. (MLH)

What began as a community involvement event became a Renaissance Festival to celebrate learning that featured a math arcade, an individual investigation display, a gymnastics and physical fitness demonstration, a minifair for kindergarten and first-grade children, an art show, and a talent show. (MLF)

The principal of a K-5 Oregon school directs a campaign to give all 400 students a chance to be special. Students' self-confidence is increased by giving them extra responsibility. (MLF)

"Principal for a Day" is a program that provides students with an opportunity to work alongside the principal. Easily implemented, the program can encourage participation in school events and activities and help recognize and reward students. Ways to structure the day and involve the media are outlined. (MLH)

A site visitor for the U.S. Department of Education's 1993-94 National School Recognition Program describes several qualities common to exemplary schools. Collaborative leadership heads the list, followed by a wholesome, interactive teaching environment; a developmentally appropriate, thematic, and interdisciplinary curriculum; high expectations…

To motivate and reward master teachers, an upstate New York elementary principal began asking such teachers to substitute a self-directed professional goal for the usual formal evaluation process. Three meetings were then scheduled with each teacher to review goals and monitor their progress in achieving them. The process resulted in improved…

Describes the goals, the selection criteria, and the selection process of the Elementary Private School Recognition Program. Includes a listing, by states, of the 60 private elementary schools selected for 1985-86 recognition. (IW)

Five case histories from a recent National Institute of Education study of the principal selection process suggest merit and equity are of less concern than subtle, behind-the-scenes matters related to special circumstances. (Author/DCS)