Hidden Hollow Elementary and Lakeridge Junior High have earned the prestigious National PTA School of Excellence designation. The honors were announced in April during ceremonies held at each school.
The meaning behind the designation
The designation represents a year-long commitment to identifying and implementing an action plan for school improvement based on the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships.
Rarity of the national achievement
The achievement is rare both in Utah and across the country. According to Melinda Tanner, the state’s PTA Schools of Excellence chair, only six schools in Utah have achieved this status. Nationally, fewer than 350 schools earned the designation this year.
The rigorous implementation process
Tanner noted that the process requires schools and PTAs to create and implement a plan while gathering community feedback to identify areas for improvement. The process begins with a community feedback survey at the start of the school year to diagnose specific needs, followed by a customized action plan and a follow-up survey to measure growth.
Six core PTA standards used
The School of Excellence program utilizes six national PTA standards: welcoming all families, communicating effectively, supporting student success, speaking up for every child, sharing power, and collaborating with the community.
Aligning school and PTA goals
School leaders highlighted the importance of alignment with these standards. Derek Elison, principal at Lakeridge Junior High School, stated that the school has enjoyed aligning goals and priorities with PTSA efforts. He noted that feedback from students, faculty, and the community helped Lakeridge focus on increasing engagement and improving communication methods.
Benefits of following national standards
Sarah Smith, principal of Hidden Hollow Elementary, explained that following these standards helps the school community understand specific goals and how each group contributes to meeting them. She stated that building a standards-aligned plan allows the school to build upon collective efforts and strengths.
The designation relies heavily on collaboration between school leadership and families. Elison mentioned that increased transparency with school data and more student celebrations have been part of their progress. He added that when parents are aware of school goals, they become more engaged in conversations regarding student learning and the systems put in place to support it.
