Author: GreatSchools.org

GreatSchools is the leading national nonprofit empowering parents with essential information to improve educational opportunities for their child. GreatSchools’ trusted ratings and school quality information help parents find the right school for their family and take action to improve schools in their communities. Thousands of articles, tips and interactive tools help parents support their child’s learning and well-being every day. Families, community leaders and policymakers turn to GreatSchools for the school information they need to guide children to great futures.

Deane: Information Is Power — All Parents, Regardless of Income, Need Access to Good Data About School Quality

By Jon Deane and originally published on The 74.

OAKLAND, CA (December 2, 2019) — As college application season kicks into high gear, a myth prevails that only privileged families work hard to crunch data and debate the pros and cons to ensure their children can get the education they need. But new research debunks this myth, conclusively showing that the very families who have been underserved by our educational system, often low-income black and Hispanic families, are setting their sights high and prioritizing educational opportunities. Continue reading “”

Communities celebrate College Success Award to kick-off the new school year

High schools in Oklahoma, Texas and Connecticut go above and beyond to show their spirit and school pride in winning the 2019 GreatSchools College Success Award.

OAKLAND, CA (October 18, 2019) — Today, GreatSchools.org announced the winners of the Celebrating College Success social media contest for 2019 GreatSchools College Success Award-winning high schools. In May 2019, 1,722 public high schools across the country were honored and celebrated for excelling in preparing their students for college and ultimately careers.[1] The four contest winners exhibited creativity, community involvement, and the spirit of college success. Continue reading “”

Lloyd: This Year, 1,722 High Schools Are Receiving College Success Awards. Meet 5 of the Winners Helping Their Low-Income Students Thrive

By Carol Lloyd and originally published on The 74.

OAKLAND, CA (May 2, 2019) — “It was always arguments, drama, fighting,” Lashawn Pettaway Polen says of his previous school. “If I did more [schoolwork] … I would become a target.” Eight years ago, his mother transferred him to North Star Academy, an Uncommon Schools charter school in downtown Newark. This spring, the high school senior will graduate with eight Advanced Placement classes under his belt and a plan: “I want to major in psychology and become a child psychologist.” Continue reading “”

Unique Award Honors 12 Percent of High Schools in 25 States that Prepare Students for College Success

GreatSchools.org’s college success award elevates schools committed to the success of children from low-income families.

OAKLAND, CA (May 2, 2019) — GreatSchools.org is proud to announce the winners of the 2019 College Success Award, which recognizes and celebrates 1,722 high schools in 25 states around the country that excel in ensuring students are prepared for college and ultimately careers. [1] These schools successfully graduate students who are prepared for college-level courses, enroll in two- or four-year colleges and persist into their second year, according to available data from each state.” Continue reading “”

 

New report from GreatSchools.org reveals whether or not states are providing easy access to high-quality education data

Education data transparency varies widely across the U.S.; Michigan, Massachusetts, and Georgia top state rankings.

OAKLAND, CA (March 7, 2019) — Access to education data can help parents, educators, policymakers, researchers, and advocates understand how our schools are educating our children and preparing them for a successful future. The data can uncover successes to celebrate and learn from; it can also reveal gaps where improvements may be desperately needed. Yet there is a wide variation in how states provide this important information about our public schools. Today, GreatSchools.org released a new report, “Finding the Data: A State-by-State Assessment of Education Data Transparency.” Continue reading “”