School of Excellence

In This Section



Join PTA For Your Child


National PTA School of Excellence

National PTA School of Excellence Program

Over 40 years of research shows increased family engagement is linked to school improvement and student achievement. The National PTA School of Excellence recognition program helps PTAs open lines of communication and use critical thinking to make data-driven decisions to increase and sustain impactful family engagement. By completing the program, PTAs earn the two‑year national designation as a PTA School of Excellence recognizing their leadership in creating welcoming, inclusive school communities and lasting change.

Aldrin PTA Banner

Aldrin PTA, Illinois

Pines Lakes Elementary PTA, Florida

Pines Lakes Elementary PTA, Florida

Maya Angelous PTSA Banner

Maya Angelous French Immersion PTSA, Maryland

Western Branch Primary PTA, Virginia

Western Branch Primary PTA, Virginia

Start Your Journey to Excellence

 

The PTA School of Excellence program is grounded in the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships and guides PTAs and schools through a structured, year‑long process to strengthen family engagement and advance school improvement goals.

2026-2027 Enrollment 


Open May 1 - Oct. 15

Review a sample enrollment form to prepare. Check this running list to see if your PTA is enrolled in the 2026-2027 program.

Enrollment Reminder: The program is designed for local PTA units to make a direct impact at their individual schools. The designation should not be sought by multiple schools under one PTA. Review our FAQ to see what participation options are available.


Steps to Becoming a PTA School of Excellence


PTAs complete five steps that help them gather meaningful community feedback, take action, and measure progress.

What Happens During the Program Steps?  
  • Step 1: PTAs enroll in the program and prepare for participation by learning the requirements and planning how to gather community feedback aligned to the National Standards.
  • Step 2: PTAs collect feedback using required questions. Then, PTAs verify they met feedback requirements and share initial goals with National PTA in the Community Feedback Form (due Dec. 15).
  • Step 3: Using initial feedback, PTAs create and implement an Excellence Action Plan. In the spring, PTAs reengage their community using the same required questions to measure progress and impact.
  • Step 4: PTAs submit Community Impact Form (due June 15) to report on their action plan efforts and outcomes and to confirm they met action plan and feedback requirements.
  • Step 5: PTAs that successfully complete Steps 1–4 and meet the requirements earn the PTA School of Excellence designation.
5 Steps to Excellence

Standards Steps

Learn more about each step in the program with this overview resource.

School of Excellence Program Steps Overview
School of Excellence Program Steps Overview (en español)

National PTA is Committed to Excellence

 

Through the year-long program, National PTA aims to provide each participant with step-by-step guidance and tools to help PTAs and schools:

  • Engage their community and gauge trends in family engagement.
  • Identify and implement best practices aligned to the National Standards.
  • Build inclusive and welcoming school communities.
  • Share success and highlight the value of PTA.
  • Attract new, action-oriented PTA members. 

Excellence Resources and Tools


Once enrolled, PTAs receive access to exclusive digital resources — The Excellence Toolkit and The Roadmap to Excellence—and dedicated support through live and recorded trainings, regular newsletters, and direct support from National PTA. 

Looking for something?

PTAs active in the program will find the required questions to gather feedback and the program platform to submit required forms in the Excellence Toolkit.

 
Toolkit Tips

How to Access the Toolkit

×

Only PTAs active in the School of Excellence program have access to the Excellence Toolkit. The page is hidden and available only with a direct link. Download this running report to check your enrollment status. 

  • If you already enrolled in the 2026-2027 program, the link is in your confirmation email. Bookmark it for easy and continued access. 
  • If you did not receive the confirmation email or are supporting an active PTA, send a link request to Excellence@pta.org. 

Excellence Tip Our team aims to respond within two business days. To receive the quickest support, include the name of the PTA active in the program and your role, as well as your state and/or PTA ID. 




Excellence Benefits

 
National PTA recognizes designees as national leaders in building effective family-school partnerships, which opens additional honors and opportunities. High-performing designees are reviewed by National PTA staff and volunteer leaders and the top-ranked PTAs that demonstrate exceptional impact are honored with the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Awards.

Designees also earn a designation banner to proudly display in their community, which elevates the PTA and school in their local community and fosters community pride and deeper connections between families and the school.
 

M.D. Roberts Middle PTSA, Georgia

M.D. Roberts Middle PTSA, Georgia

Mike Miller Elementary PTA, South Dakota

Mike Miller Elementary PTA, South Dakota

Frederick Douglass HS

Douglass PTSA, Illinois

The Bottom Line


PTAs work hard and the School of Excellence program provides recognition and celebration that PTAs and families deserve. But the most important benefits to the program are the positive impacts and achievements PTAs make to transform family-school partnerships and foster continuous, impactful school improvements.
 
The School of Excellence Program is a powerful tool that can benefit everyone. It brings to light ways that the school/PTA can improve, but it also celebrates successes. It can be a visual reminder of everything we have accomplished together as a school and PTA.
– Lee Heinerikson, Thomas B. Chinn Elementary Principal, Missouri


This program has opened up important dialogues that will positively impact our school community. In some areas it has validated our work. In some areas, it has brought things to our attention that we hadn't considered.
– Christopher Moretti, Hawley Elementary School Principal, Connecticut


The award provides an example of how the PTA, community and school have a bond and interest in ensuring that our students succeed. It's an opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments while setting goals towards future challenges.
– Dr. Gregory Matlosz, Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School Principal, New Jersey



SOE-Quotes_Mike-Miller SOE-Quotes_Kaiserslautern SOE-Quotes_Highland SOE-Quotes_Parkland SOE-Quotes_Morgan SOE-Quotes_Norup SOE-Quotes_Phillips SOE-Quotes_Lutz SOE-Quotes_Herndon SOE-Quotes_Farmington-STEAM SOE-Quotes_George-Washington SOE-Quotes_Falling-Creek SOE-Quote_Chickahominy-Middle SOE-Quote_CC-Duff SOE-Quote_Brookview SOE-Quote_Barksdale


National PTA is Here to Support You

 

As a PTA leader, you know your school community best. But know, you are never alone!

National PTA is here to support you. All National PTA programming is ready-to-go and comes with a team of support, allowing you to focus on what matters most – your families. Remember to stay connected with National PTA for additional resources and opportunities: 

  • Visit PTA.org/Programs for information on In-Person and At-Home National PTA Programs.
  • Review and utilize the print and go and customizable You Belong in PTA membership suite of resources, available for both PTA and PTSAs.
Questions?

Reach out to us at Excellence@PTA.org with any questions along the way.