Achieve national recognition for your school

Enter the Intel Scholastic Schools of Distinction Awards program, recognizing outstanding K-12 schools. Go to www.schoolsofdistinction.com.

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2005 Schools of Distinction Categories

Eligible* schools may apply to one of the 10 categories described below. From every category, we will choose one winning elementary-level school and one winning secondary-level school. In addition, the two winners from each category will be automatically entered for consideration in the overall "Best of the Best" category.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT School shows significant academic gains in its test scores, graduation rates, college-entrance rates, etc. Students consistently achieve high academic standards.

LITERACY ACHIEVEMENT The reading/writing curriculum is rationally designed to ensure high levels of achievement by students. School shows significant gains.

MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT The math curriculum is rationally designed to ensure high levels of achievement by students. School shows significant gains.

SCIENCE ACHIEVEMENT The science curriculum is rationally designed to ensure high levels of achievement by students. School shows significant gains.

TECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE School excels in the effective use of technology and demonstrates a strategic use of technology throughout the school in a wide array of areas, including school programs, curriculum, and management.

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION School shows a unique, effective, and innovative use of technology in a specific area of the school's programs or curriculum.

LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE Dynamic leaders engage the school and implement comprehensive plans to meet current and future challenges, resulting in higher levels of student achievement.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT School's culture encourages teachers, administrators, and school staff to work together as members of a professional community to improve student learning. Professional growth and development are continuous and thoughtfully planned.

TEAMWORK (INTERNAL) School engages its internal stakeholders in a teamwork approach. Evidence shows that the principal works collaboratively in planning and decision-making with the administration, faculty, parents, volunteers, etc.

COLLABORATION (EXTERNAL) School demonstrates commitment to and recognition of the important role that external stakeholders (families, business partnerships, community, etc.) play in supporting learning.

BEST OF THE BEST School demonstrates overall excellence. School has comprehensive programs and consistently achieves high academic standards. Two "Best of the Best" schools will be chosen from among the 20 winners in the above categories.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Intel Corporation, Scholastic Inc., and the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Foundation.

DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY.

Thanks to generous contributions from our sponsors, a total of $2.3 million in grants and prizes was awarded in June 2004 to 20 U.S. schools! In addition, representatives from the winning schools attended a black-tie awards gala event in New Orleans, received national media coverage, and are now holding hometown celebrations. The 2005 awards program will be held in September in a city to be announced.

DEADLINE: All 2005 applications MUST BE RECEIVED BY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2004.

SELECTING THE WINNERS: More than 100 educators and education experts will choose 60 finalists and 20 winners.

FOR THE APPLICATION (INCLUDING TERMS AND CONDITIONS) AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Go to www.schoolsofdistinction.com.

You can also visit www.scholastic.com/schoolsofdistinction or www.intel.com/education/schoolsofdistinction.

*This awards program is open to K-12 public, private, charter, parochial, Department of Defense, and Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools (home schools are not eligible). Previous winners are ineligible to apply for three years.

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