Through the Honored Schools online platform, students (and parents on behalf of younger students) within each participating school community are encouraged to recognize teachers by telling a story of how the teacher made a difference in their life. Every teacher who is recognized will receive their student’s story and will be publicly recognized at their school and on the Honored Schools website. Also, each recognition story serves as a nomination for the annual Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award.

For the 2023-2024 school year, Honored Schools has partnered with 7 schools in Washington DC, 15 schools Indianapolis IN, 16 schools Inglewood CA, 12 schools New Haven CT, and 45 schools in Houston, TX.

D.C. Public Schools

Bancroft Elementary School
Brightwood Elementary School
Columbia Heights Educational Campus
Hart Middle School
Powell Elementary School
Randle Highlands Elementary School
Whittier Elementary School

Houston Schools

Anderson Elementary School
Bailey Middle School
Bammel Elementary School
Bammel Middle School
Beneke Elementary School
Booker Elementary School
Burchett Elementary School
Clark Elementary School
Claughton Middle School
Cooper Elementary School
Dekaney High School
Dekaney High School 9th Grade Center
Dueitt Middle School
Eickenroht Elementary School
Heritage Elementary School
Hirsch Elementary School
Hoyland Elementary School
Jenkins Elementary School
Lewis Elementary School
Link Elementary School
Major Elementary School
Marshall Elementary School
McNabb Elementary School
Meyer Elementary School
Momentum High School
Ponderosa Elementary School
Reynolds Elementary School
Richey Academy
Roberson Middle School
Salyers Elementary School
Smith Elementary School
Spring Early College Academy
Spring High School
Spring High School 9th Grade Center
Spring Leadership Academy
Springwoods Village Middle School
The School of International Studies at Bammel
Thompson Elementary School
Twin Creeks Middle School
Wells Middle School
Westfield High School
Westfield High School 9th Grade Center
Winship Elementary School
Wunsche High School

Indianapolis Schools

Allisonville Elementary School
Clearwater Elementary School
Crooked Creek Elementary School
Eastwood Middle School
Fox Hill Elementary School
GreenbriarElementary School
Hilltop Learning Center
J Everett Light Career Center
Nora Elementary School
North Central High School
Northview Middle School
Spring Mill Elementary School
True North Academy
Westlane Middle School
Willow Lake Elementary School

Inglewood Schools

Bennett- Kew Elementary School
Centinela Elementary School
City Honors International Preparatory High School
Crozier Middle School
Frank D Parent Elementary School
Highland Elementary School
Hudnall Elementary School
Inglewood Continuation High School
Inglewood High School
Kelso Elementary School
La Tijera Elementary School
Morningside High School
Oak Street Elementary School
Payne STEAM Academy
Woodworth-Monroe Academy
Worthington Elementary School

New Haven Schools

Barnard Environmental Science & Technology School
Benjamin Jepson Magnet School
East Rock Community and Cultural Studies Magnet School
Edgewood Creative Thinking Through STEAM Magnet School
Engineering & Science University Magnet School
Hill Regional Career High School
High School in the Community
John C. Daniels School of International Communication Interdistrict
Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy For Global Awareness Magnet School
Truman School
Wilbur L. Cross High School
Worthington Hooker School

  • In May/June 2024, Honored Schools will name Life-Changing Teacher Award in each region from the pool of Honor Stories submitted from schools.

At the end of each school year, one or more teachers from each participating region will receive the prestigious Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award, which includes a $5,000 unrestricted cash price and national recognition. Award recipients will be selected from each region’s pool of submissions by a local panel of community leaders in consultation with Honored Schools principals. The selection criteria focuses on the important impact the teacher has made on their students’ lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does my school become an Honored School?

Honored Schools is currently accepting inquiries for participation in our 2024-2025 school year program. If your school would like to learn more about participating in Honored Schools, please send us a note at [email protected]. Honored Schools currently operates only in Washington, DC; Indianapolis, Indiana; Inglewood, CA; New Haven, CT; and Houston, TX.

Who may be recognized?

Full-time classroom teachers of any subject currently teaching at your school may be recognized and are eligible for the Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award. Other school staff members may also be recognized, but they are not eligible for the award.

Who may recognize a teacher?

Current or former students, and parents or other family members on behalf of students (particularly the younger ones who may need a hand completing the nomination form!)

How do you decide who is awarded the Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award?

Award recipients will be selected from each region’s pool of submissions by a local panel of community leaders in consultation with Honored Schools principals. The selection criteria takes into account both the qualitative and quantitative elements of the submissions, and it focuses on the important impact the teacher has made on the nominating student’s life. The panel will also consider the volume of submissions in proportion to school and class size and resource equity.

Will my teacher know about the recognition?

Yes! Your teacher will receive an email with your story and will know what an impact they’ve had on you. Your school will celebrate all recognized teachers in a variety of ways. Your nominations will also be published on honoredschools.org so that other people can read about all of the inspiring teachers at your school. Who knows, your teacher may become internet famous!

If my teacher is selected as the Honored Schools Life-Changing Teacher Award recipient, what happens?

Your teacher will receive a well-deserved $5,000 in unrestricted cash award and will be celebrated at your school and across the country! You and your teacher will also be featured on honoredschools.org.

How does Honored Schools approach content moderation?

At Honored, we prioritize maintaining a positive and respectful environment on our platform. Our team carefully reviews each Honor Story before it reaches teachers.

In a rare occurrence, should we identify any content that goes against our guidelines, we will promptly remove the submission and send the School Lead an email to request that the student resubmit a positive teacher Honor Story.

Additionally, in cases where the content involves threatening behavior or violence, we take a more serious stance by immediately notifying school leadership and District Leads. This collaborative approach ensures swift action and a judicious response to maintain the integrity of our platform.

Our commitment remains steadfast: teachers receive only positive and uplifting Honor Stories, contributing to a nurturing and supportive online community.

Is your school or district interested in participating in Honored Schools? Reach out to [email protected].