A Focus on Achievement at Excel High School: A Best Practices Case Study

Abstract

This case study describes the first years of leadership for Headmaster Ligia Noriega at Excel High School in South Boston, one of the Boston Public Schools' small high schools. It is one of a series of case studies developed by Ed Vestors and the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy to share the best practices of schools that are awarded the Ed Vestors Thomas W. Payzant School on the Move Prize, given each year to one of the most improving Boston Public Schools. Ed Vestors hosts the $100,000 Prize and awards the Prize following a thorough quantitative and qualitative review.

The purposes of the Prize are to highlight the ongoing work of strengthening schools and advancing the academic achievement of all students over a four-year period and to support the sharing of best practices with other schools in and outside of Boston. A portion of the award is set aside for a case study documenting the successful strategies from each year's award-winning school. The case study of Excel High School is featured in this Special Section.