Learn more about the 2023 Educational Excellence Awards Gala here.
2025 Educational Excellence Awards Gala
The fourth annual Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala will be held in Indianapolis on Friday, November 21. Financial awards will be granted to schools to celebrate their progress and achievement in supporting student excellence and growth. Additionally, the event will spotlight the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year, Indiana’s 2024 Milken Educator Award recipients, and other dedicated educators from across the state.
The 2025 Excellence Awards will be presented to schools that are making significant progress toward improving achievement for all Indiana students. All state accredited schools are eligible.
The Diamond Sponsor Excellence Award ($50k)This award will honor a school or district demonstrating a transformative, student-centered approach to future readiness—grounded in literacy, STEM, and college and career preparation. The recipient will exemplify several key practices, including: expanding early learning access, achieving strong IREAD-3 outcomes, providing robust professional development aligned to the science of reading, fostering innovative community and industry partnerships, increasing work-based learning and apprenticeship opportunities, and prioritizing educator recruitment and retention.
Excellence in Data-Driven Support ($25k)
This award will recognize an individual school that has made the most progress in improving achievement for all students. One or more of the following must be demonstrated by the award recipient: increased academic achievement for students as indicated by ILEARN English/language arts/Mathematics assessment results, prioritization of initiatives focused on accelerating learning, and implementation of progress monitoring and evidenced-based practices for students in need of extra support.
Excellence in Early Literacy Award ($25k)This award will recognize an individual school that has established strategies and partnerships to support all students in the mastery of foundational reading skills, specifically. One or more of the following must be demonstrated by the award recipient: prioritization of access to early learning opportunities, implementation of high-quality programs that lead to a high IREAD-3 pass rate for all students, or a focus on professional development opportunities to support educators in implementing the Science of Reading.
Excellence in STEM Award ($25k)This award will recognize an individual school that has expanded access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities for all students. One or more of the following must be demonstrated by the award recipient: implementation of research-based STEM instructional approaches, development of innovative community/industry partnerships, designation as a STEM Certified School/Program, increased opportunities for the STEM- and/or computer science-focused professional development of educators, or the expansion of access to and participation in STEM and/or computer science coursework, extracurricular activities, and other opportunities for students.
Excellence in Professional Learning and Leadership Development ($25k)This award will recognize an individual school that provides high-quality professional learning support for educators. One or more of the following must be demonstrated by the award recipient: implementation of research-based professional development approaches, development of professional career ladders for educators, or the prioritization of initiatives focused on the recruitment and retention of high-quality educators.
Excellence in Family and Community Collaboration ($25k)This award will recognize an individual school that is maximizing support for students through strategic collaboration with local and state partners. One or more of the following must be demonstrated by the award recipient: development of partnerships that expand the school’s reach within or beyond the community, prioritization of partnerships that foster the creation of collaborative solutions that positively impact the school and community, expansion of high-quality learning opportunities offered to students through partnerships, and implementation of procedures that foster an environment where community collaboration thrives.
Enroll, Enlist, Employ Excellence Award ($25,000) (x3) This award will recognize an individual school that exemplifies Indiana’s vision for purposeful high school redesign by preparing students to successfully enroll in postsecondary education, enlist in military service, or gain meaningful employment. The awardee will demonstrate a holistic and innovative approach to student readiness by implementing one or more of the following:
- Expansion of access to high-value postsecondary credentials and scholarship opportunities
- Implementation of strategies that support college readiness, including ACT/SAT performance
- Development of robust work-based learning and apprenticeship programs
- Creation of locally-driven graduation pathways aligned to workforce needs
- Innovative partnerships with community, industry, or public service sectors
- Professional development to support educators in delivering college, career, and enlistment preparation
This award highlights schools that are leading the way in ensuring every graduate leaves with purpose and preparation for what comes next.
School awards are funded by philanthropic donations.