#United States #Alexandria #National PTA #Family Engagement #Schools of Excellence

National PTA Celebrates Excellence in Family-School Partnerships

In a significant announcement on August 5, 2025, the National PTA revealed its recognition of 330 PTAs and schools from across the nation, as well as DoDEA schools in Europe, as the 2024-2026 National PTA Schools of Excellence. This prestigious award honors those institutions that have excelled in creating beneficial partnerships between families and schools, which are instrumental in enhancing the educational experience and overall well-being of students.

Among the outstanding honorees, three schools received the esteemed 2025 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award, the highest accolade given by the National PTA to celebrate exemplary family-school collaborations:

• - Meadow School PTA in Baldwin, New York (Phoebe Apperson Hearst Outstanding Family-School Partnership Award)
• - Redondo Union High School PTSA in Redondo Beach, California (Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Award of Merit)
• - Gunston Middle School PTA in Arlington, Virginia (Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Award of Merit)

Yvonne Johnson, the President of National PTA, emphasized the integral role family engagement plays in educational strategies. She stated, “We believe that every strategy to accelerate learning must include families. Decades of research show that family engagement is just as essential as other school improvement strategies—from rigorous instruction to effective leaders.” The accomplishments of these honored PTAs serve as a demonstration of the remarkable outcomes that can be realized when schools and families unite towards shared objectives.

The National PTA's School of Excellence program is designed as a year-long journey dedicated to bolstering family-school partnerships. Throughout this period, PTAs and educational institutions actively engage with their communities, gathering feedback and developing actionable plans aimed at improving family involvement and making a positive impact on every child's education. This initiative promotes collaboration between PTAs and families, granting them significant roles in decision-making and school enhancement processes. Moreover, it fosters an environment conducive to communication and critical thinking, enabling school communities to employ data-driven strategies that result in beneficial, long-term change.

Currently, enrollment for the 2025-2026 School of Excellence program is open, with the deadline set for October 15. Interested PTAs and schools can find more information and register at PTA.org/Excellence.

About National PTA

The National PTA is a nonprofit association that consists of millions of families, students, educators, administrators, and community leaders committed to the educational success of children and the promotion of effective family engagement in schools. As a registered 501(c)(3) organization, it champions the voices of all children, serving as a valuable resource for families and communities, and advocating for public education. Membership in the PTA is accessible to anyone wishing to contribute to improving the education, health, and welfare of children and youth. For further details, please visit PTA.org.