Overview

The 2012-13 Spotlight Schools initiative is a competitive grant program for 2011-12 Wisconsin Schools of Recognition that have received the award for the last three (or more) consecutive years. Spotlight Schools are selected based on the school’s documented success in two spotlighted areas including Teaching and Learning and one of the following: Vision, Leadership and Governance, Decision Making and Accountability, Professional Development and Teacher Quality, and Family, School, and Community Partnerships.

This program has been developed to provide information to schools around the state about effective practices in improving student learning and achievement, and allow school teams to arrange visits to Spotlight Schools (both new and continuing) to observe these practices and implement these ideas in their own schools.

Check out this map that designates Spotlight Schools (2011-12 and 2012-13) to see schools that you might be interested in visiting.

Spotlight Schools 2013-14

In order to build on the success of the Spotlight Schools program, two opportunities will be available to schools for the 2013-14 school year.

·         Spotlight Schools Continuation Grants

Grants of $25,000 will be awarded to up to eight Spotlight Schools from 2012-13 to provide funding to host visiting schools and to continue to build the school’s capacity to become increasingly more effective in the spotlight practice areas. Guidelines for the continuation grants and application materials are available here.

·         NEW Spotlight Schools Grants

New schools will be designated Spotlight Schools for the 2013-14 year. Schools selected as Spotlight Schools will receive up to $50,000 and are required to host at least three schools on a one-day visit to observe classrooms and discuss spotlighted practices with staff. The remaining grant funds, which are a reward to the school, can be used for professional development or other school improvement opportunities to continue to improve current school practices. Each eligible applicant must address Teaching and Learning and one other component in which they are achieving success in order to be considered for funding. Applicants must submit evidence as outlined in the rubric. Guidelines for the new grants and application materials are available here.

Applications for both grants are due April 3, 2013.

Spotlight Schools 2012-13

This year, four new grantees (six schools) received Spotlight School Awards, along with five continuing (six schools) from 2011-12. Executive summaries of the 2012-13 Spotlight Schools can be found here. These grantees will have money to support the expenses of visiting schools during the 2012-13 school year. For detailed information on each school, their spotlighted practices, and their contact information for setting up school visits, please visit each school through the links below.

2012-13 New Spotlight School Awardees

2012-13 Continuing Spotlight School Awardees

2011-12 Spotlight School Awardees

For questions about this information, contact Beth McClure at (608) 261-6324 or Cathy Caro-Bruce (608) 264-9320.