There is never one single factor that is at the core of a successful school:  no one structure, or curriculum, or policies, if there were every school would adopt it.  Schools are complex organisms that can't be changed easily.  There are characteristics that all schools share and here are a few things that the top performing schools have in common.

1.  They teach their students.  They focus on student learning and make sure that students learn the material.  They do not say "I taught it and the students just didn't get it", this analogy makes no sense.

2.  They don't teach to the state tests.  All schools make sure their students know the material they will be tested on that only is fair and makes sense.  They teach a rich curriculum that ties to the state standards.

3.  They have high expectations for their students.  The students will commonly achieve to the standard they are held to, so if expectations are high the better for the students.  When empathy becomes sympathy expectations get lowered.

4.  They embrace and use all the data they can get their hands on.  They use state as well as local data to determine the best course for each learner and what areas must be strengthened.

5.  They constantly examine what they do.  Tradition cannot be the only reason something is done.  It can be difficult for teachers to change practices and patterns, however, we are no longer in the Industrial Age.

6.  They are accountable.  Schools realize the obligation they have to the students and the community they serve.  We are preparing students for their future and their next step in life.

7.  They use school time wisely.  They establish classroom routines so that instruction time is treated as sacred.  We know there will be fun times but students have to be engaged in productive activities the majority of time.

8.  They like kids.  This seems like a given, to often students and their parents are discussed with comtempt, an atmosphere of respect and caring about the students needs to prevail over the entire school.

9.  Principals are constantly present.  They do not hide in their office and can be seen in the halls, cafeteria, and classrooms.  They can be approached at events without the parents and/or students feeling they are just being brushed aside.

10.  Teachers are provided time to plan and collaborate.  Teachers are a great resource and in attempt to avoid getting in a rut inservice needs to be provided to keep all teachers current in educational trends.  Visiting with other teachers in their discipline can be an invaluable resource.

11.  They are nice places to work.  Do the employees enjoy coming to work everyday?  This includes office staff, cooks, custodians, bus drivers, as well as faculty members.  What type of feeling do you get when you enter the building?