Becoming a No Excuses University

How Does a School Become a No Excuses University?

  1. A team made up of the principal and at least one teacher from every grade level at a K-8 school must attend a TurnAround Schools institute.
  2. Based on the characteristics of a No Excuses University, schools making application answer the following four questions in detail. Responses must be limited to one page per question.
    1. What has already been accomplished to create a Culture of Universal Achievement at your school? Please focus on what your staff believes about the academic potential of all students and how that belief is demonstrated on a daily basis.
    2. What specific plans are in place to continue the work of creating a Culture of Universal Achievement at your school? Include a proposed timeline.
    3. What has already been accomplished to create clearly defined exceptional systems at your school?
    4. What specific plans are in place to continue the work of creating Exceptional Systems at your school?
  3. A video must be submitted that documents the work of creating a culture of universal achievement, developing exceptional systems, and the passion of the staff as they move forward to create a school that knows no limits the academic success of every student. The video must be submitted on DVD or VHS tape, be clearly labeled, and may not exceed five minutes.
  4. Mail a complete application package (requires Adobe Reader) to:
    TurnAround Schools
    17265 Prairie Mile Road
    Ramona, CA 92065

Applicants will be notified of the status of their application within 20 days of submission. Successful applicants will be granted permission to use the No Excuses University name and logo, and will be added to the network of No Excuses University schools across the country.

If the application is successful, membership in the No Excuses University network of schools will be granted for 12 months. At the end of each twelve-month period, schools must participate in a simplified review process that documents significant commitment to the principles of No Excuses University.

Please contact TurnAround Schools for assistance in preparing the application.