College Success Awards Archives

Featured Stories

A brilliant way to teach advanced English

The power of giving students voice and choice

What if all students got accommodations?

Tracking each student's path to graduation

Learn how this high-performing high school works with every student on a 4-year plan and uses data to track each student’s progress.

What is early college high school?

These public high schools give students the opportunity to complete up to 2 years of college while still in high school.

How dual enrollment can fuel college success

Offering teens access to college classes in high school isn’t just about college credit, it’s about college success.

Why student-centered education should be the norm

Want a high school where every kid finds their unique learning path? Allow students a way to exercise their voice and choice.

The power of positive school culture

How everyone treats each other at a high school has a huge impact on learning. This is what to look out for.

How to make better teachers

Teachers are the most powerful factor in your child’s education: that’s why ongoing teacher development should be a cornerstone of every high school.

Making sure every student gets a chance

Supporting at-risk students creates a more effective school for all

Research shows that high schools that successfully support at-risk students are more effective for all their students.

Why college counseling matters

Early and ongoing access to college counseling has been shown to influence whether students apply to college and which colleges they choose.

The value of student-staff connections

Positive, meaningful relationships between high school students and their teachers and principals are more than just nice to have; they're the foundation for a great high school.

Advanced academics for everyone

Why all students should take advanced classes

The best high schools don’t just provide rigorous courses for motivated students, they encourage every student to explore advanced classes.

The importance of real-life learning and career pathways

Whether it’s career and technical training or outside internships, hands-on learning in high school gives kids purpose and makes school relevant.

10 practices of an exceptionally successful high school

North Star Academy Principal Michael Mann shares the strategies the school has created to ensure that 100% of their students are prepared for four-year college.

This year, 1,722 high schools are receiving College Success Awards. Meet 5 of the winners helping their low-income students thrive.

Meet 5 of the 1,722 College Success Award-winning high schools helping low-income students thrive

GreatSchools.org uses data to give College Success Awards to high schools that are helping all students prepare for, and succeed in, college.

College Success Award winner: President William McKinley High School

Watch how this 2019 CSA-winning high school in Honolulu, HI encourages kids to explore their career dreams while also instilling the value of giving back to their community.

College Success Award winner: Veterans Memorial Early College High School

Watch how this CSA-winning high school in Brownsville, TX shows kids they care and supports students through the college application process.

College Success Award winner: North Star Academy Washington Park High School

CSA winner: North Star Academy Washington Park High School

Watch how this 2019 CSA-winning high school in Newark, NJ innovates for the good of the students and encourages kids to work hard to achieve their dreams.

6 strategies of award-winning high schools that prepare students for college

Learn six educational strategies integral to College Success Award-winning high schools.