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National PTA Celebrates Schools of Excellence and Middle Ground Grant Recipients

On August 3, 2026, the National PTA proudly recognized 321 local PTAs and educational institutions from all over the United States as 2025-2027 National PTA Schools of Excellence. This prestigious designation is awarded to schools that foster meaningful partnerships between families and educational establishments, significantly enhancing students' overall educational experience and well-being. Furthermore, the PTA has distributed the 2026-2027 Middle Ground Program Grant to 20 local middle school PTAs. Each awarded grant, totaling $3,500, is made possible through a collaborative agreement with the New York Life Foundation under the Healthy Minds initiative.

Additionally, the National PTA honored three exceptional Schools of Excellence with the coveted 2026 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award, the highest honor bestowed by the association for outstanding family-school partnerships. The recipients include:

• - Burton Elementary School PTA from Huntington Woods, Michigan - Outstanding Family-School Partnership Award
• - Will Rogers Elementary School PTA from Santa Monica, California - Family-School Partnership Award of Merit
• - Redding Elementary School PTA from Redding, Connecticut - Family-School Partnership Award of Merit

Dr. Bill Datema, President of the National PTA, expressed, "Strong partnerships between families and schools are critical to student success—academically, socially, and emotionally. As a new school year begins, we are delighted to honor the 2025-2027 Schools of Excellence and the 2026-2027 Middle Ground Program Grant recipients for their exceptional efforts in establishing family-school partnerships that yield tangible benefits for students."

The National PTA's School of Excellence program is a year-long endeavor aimed at enhancing family-school collaboration. Participating PTAs and schools engage with their communities to gather feedback, which is then utilized to craft data-driven action plans that increase family involvement and make a noteworthy impact on every child’s education.

Additionally, the Middle Ground Program Grant, in cooperation with the New York Life Foundation, is designed to establish supportive environments in middle schools for students grappling with grief and loss. Drawing inspiration from New York Life Foundation's graphic novel Lost in the Middle, these environments provide valuable resources for storytelling, creative expression, and peer connection, ensuring that no child feels isolated in their experience of grief. Moreover, grant recipients receive training through the New York Life Foundation's Grief-Sensitive Schools Initiative, equipping them to support students navigating difficult emotions.

Howie Berman, Executive Director of the National PTA, added, "Through initiatives like Schools of Excellence and Middle Ground, we are dedicated to providing families and schools with the necessary resources, tools, and expertise to foster strong partnerships, face challenges collaboratively, and promote student success throughout the academic year."

Enrollment for the 2026-2027 School of Excellence program is currently underway, with the application deadline set for October 15. For those interested in more information about the program or how to enroll, visit PTA.org/Excellence. Furthermore, details regarding the Middle Ground program and the Healthy Minds initiative can be found at PTA.org/TheMiddleGround and PTA.org/HealthyMinds respectively. To explore the impactful work of the 2026 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award recipients, please visit PTA.org/Hearst.

About National PTA

National PTA® is a nonprofit organization with millions of members, comprising families, students, educators, administrators, and community leaders, all dedicated to ensuring the educational success of children while promoting family engagement within schools. As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the PTA positions itself as a powerful advocate for children's rights, providing pertinent resources for families and communities, alongside a strong commitment to public education advocacy. Anyone interested in making a difference for children's education, health, and welfare is welcome to join the PTA. To learn more, visit PTA.org.