High Performing schools increase student
achievement. The Florida School Report’s
Best Practice Study makes the connection.
It shares results from a comprehensive analysis
of high performing schools across the state.
All of the schools share a common approach – a
new way of visioning the norm.
The following 10 traits were highly evident in all of the
high performing schools researched. We encourage you to visit
all off the schools and discover their stories and successful
strategies at www.floridabestpractices.com. Below,
you will find a sampling of schools that strongly demonstrate
a particular trait.
respected
by staff…were risk takers…uncompromised
advocacy on behalf of students and staff
The staff at all schools
credited the principal’s
leadership as the driving force behind
increased achievement. “It couldn’t
happen without the principal.”
| Inwood Elementary
School |
 |
 |
| Seminole Middle School |
|
|
respect
staff’s
professionalism...developed leaders…supported
staff needs
High performance is linked
to the Principal’s
ability to lead by empowering their staff;
providing leadership/development opportunities
for staff; and coming through
with support
for instructional needs.
| Avalon
Middle School |
|
|
| Martin
Luther King Middle School |
|
|
| Woodrow Wilson Middle
School |
|
|
taught in
different ways...supported by development...infused
throughout curriculum
First and foremost,
all schools focused their time, effort,
resources, staff, and
partnership support to improve the reading
and comprehension skills of all students.
| L.A.
Ainger Middle School |
|
|
| Village Green Elementary School |
|
|
identified
and met needs...analyzed/used data...pursued
professional development
Teachers who are empowered, challenged,
and respected, commit to a school for the
long term. Low staff turnover was a consistent
element at the high performing schools
studied.
| Darnell
Cookman Middle School |
|
|
| James
Weldon Johnson Middle School |
|
|
aligned
to curriculum...made available for parents...shared
with colleagues
If students hit an achievement
wall, it is the teacher’s responsibility
to find an alternative way to teach.
The positive
impact of customized professional development
was universally voiced.
| Flamingo
Elementary School |
|
|
| Lincoln
Park Academy |
|
|
|
Sunrise Elementary |
|
|
has high expectations
and standards...shared vision...collaborated
and communicated
The staff, principal,
and parents all set high expectations
for their students and
believed that their school was the best.
They were proud of themselves, each other,
and of their collaborative contribution
to their school’s excellence.
| Central
Park Elementary School |
|
|
| Charles R. Hadley
Elementary School |
|
|
|
McIntosh Middle School |
|
|
supported goals with resources...increased
local control...heightened
accountability
Schools with more budget discretion can
align funds to academic needs more easily
and fully. Schools
with flexible budgeting prioritized Reading,
professional development and technology.
| Dante
B. Fascell Elementary School |
|
|
 |
| Wesley
Matthews Elementary School |
|
|
engaged
parents...developed strong partnerships...gave
parents and partners a higher purpose
High-performing schools appreciated their
parents and partners; and treated them
as equal stakeholders, prized mentors,
and
valued family members with essential roles
and responsibilities.
| Gilchrist
Elementary School |
|
|
|
| Wahneta Elementary
School |
|
|
used
data-driven decision-making...benchmarking
and monitoring...curriculum design
If there was one strategy that was indispensable
for building achievement, it was the ability
of staff to access, understand, analyze
and apply data. It calls for technological
expertise and support to ensure that teachers
could instruct students based on their
individual needs.
| Ludlam Elementary
School |
|
|
| Silver Trail Middle
School |
|
|
school to community...school
to culture...school to big picture
These schools are community hubs. They
create after hours learning opportunities
for students and families. They make it
worthwhile for parents and the community
to be involved in comprehensive improvement.
| Ashton
Elementary |
|
|
|
| Design
and Architecture Senior High School |
|
|
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