Characteristics of Effective Schools

What's the difference between a good school and a GREAT school? A synthesis of the research on effective schools points to 7 factors associated with high student achievement (Lezotte 1991):

Safe and Orderly Environment

• The school environment is conducive to learning
• Students work collaboratively
• Respect and tolerance are demonstrated

Climate of High Expectations for Success

• The staff demonstrates a belief that all students can learn
• Teachers use a wide variety of strategies to ensure student learning

Instructional Leadership

• The principal is an instructional leader
• The principal communicates the school's mission to teachers, students, and community

Clear and Focused Mission

• The staff understands and is committed to the mission of the school, its instructional goals, and priorities

Opportunity to Learn and Student Time on Task

• A significant amount of time is allocated to instruction in essential skills

Frequent Monitoring of Student Progress

• Student progress is assessed frequently in a variety of ways
• The emphasis is less on standardized tests and more on authentic learning

Home-School Relations

• Parents understand and support the school's mission
• Parents play an important role in achieving the mission
• Teachers and parents work as partners

At Hopewell, we're TOO GOOD not to be GREAT!