2026 NAESP National Gold Star School (NGSS) Application
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~ Program Background ~

The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) believes that great schools do more than promote academic achievement. They are exemplary learning communities in which adults and students work collaboratively and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement of performance. 

NAESP believes that outstanding learning communities are organized around three main pillars: an established culture, empowered people, and optimal systems. These pillars are mutually supportive, mutually dependent, and overlapping; without one, the strength of the other two is compromised. Within each pillar are three key practices; these practices represent “how” effective principals operate. Each pillar and practice is informed by a shared set of priorities. These priorities constitute the “why” of what effective principals do every day; they represent core beliefs about the characteristics, in addition to quality academics, of successful learning communities.

The National Gold Star School program, established in 2025, will honor elementary and middle-level schools nationwide that demonstrate commitment to these pillars. Each year, recognized schools are selected by the NAESP National Gold Star School Advisory Committee, comprised of NAESP National Distinguished Principals from each NAESP zone.

~ Process ~

Understanding that exemplary learning communities are organized around three main pillars, an established culture, empowered people, and optimal systems, nominees will show strong school-wide evidence of each of the three accompanying practices, with priority on organizing these practices based on valuing, defending, and cultivating the following priorities:

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Trusting Positive Relationships
  • High Expectations for Student and Teacher Growth
  • Social and Emotional Development and Well-Being

The 2026 program will begin October 2025 and all completed applications must be submitted to NAESP by January 31, 2026. Honorees will be announced in May 2026.

~ Downloadable PDF ~

Please note that this downloadable pdf is for informational purposes only. All applications MUST be submitted online via Reviewr. 2026 NGSS Application

Questions? Let us know at ngss@naesp.org. 

~ Eligibility ~

Nominations will be accepted from any active NAESP member who is a principal or assistant principal of a school that meets the following criteria:

  • A United States public school, including the District of Columbia (DC), Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), OR non-public school that serves students in one or more grades pre-K through 8.
  • The school configuration must include one or more of grades pre-K–8. Schools located on the same campus (physical location and mailing address) must apply as an entire school (i.e. pre–K-2; 3-5; 6-8, pre-K–8 school). Two (or more) schools located on separate campuses, must apply individually even if they have the same principal. A single school located on multiple campuses with one principal must apply as an entire school.
  • The school’s principal must have a minimum of five years’ experience as a principal and have served at the applying school for the previous three school years.
  • The school has maintained good standing over the past two years, having not been designated by the state as a school requiring improvement in any area, and with no findings of violations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) during this period.

Honored schools will be eligible to reapply after a period of 5 years from the year in which they were honored.

PLEASE NOTE: Anyone currently holding a position on the NAESP Board of Directors or on the NAESP NGSS Advisory Committee during the official nomination period or during the year their school would be recognized is ineligible for NGSS selection.

~ Requirements ~

All applicants are required to submit the following:

  • A complete application with signed Applicant's Affirmation Statement
  • Three Summaries of Evidence of Pillars - one for each of the three pillars (Established Culture, Empowered People, Optimal Systems) with 1-2 explicit examples of the pillar's practices, with priority on organizing these practices based on valuing, defending, and cultivating the following priorities:
    • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
    • Trusting Positive Relationships
    • High Expectations for Student and Teacher Growth
    • Social and Emotional Development and Well-Being
  • Four Letters of Reference - one from each of the following persons:
    • the school’s superintendent
    • a teacher currently serving on the school’s staff
    • a parent of a currently enrolled student
    • a civic/community leader
  • District Certification Form - signed by Superintendent