George Washington High School Named ‘School of Promise’ by National Institute for Excellence in Teaching
May 8, 2026
Indianapolis, Ind. (May 8, 2026) - Teacher Appreciation Week was extra special this year for George Washington High School as it was recognized today in a schoolwide assembly for its newly-earned National Institute for Excellence in Teaching ‘School of Promise’ distinction and the accompanying $5,000 cash prize. The award recognizes schools for continued efforts to strengthen instructional practices and support student success, and school leaders can use the financial prize as they choose to continue supporting their teachers and students to thrive. George Washington is one of only two schools in the country to receive the 2026 School of Promise award. In addition, Indiana’s Northview Middle School received NIET’s Founder’s Award and its $50,000 cash prize earlier this year.
“The team at George Washington High School, led by Principal Dr. Stanley Law, has built a structure to support excellent teaching and learning at every level. In turn, students are receiving the skills, knowledge, and useful experiences to succeed in learning and life,” said NIET Founder Lowell Milken. “For these reasons, we are proud to recognize George Washington High as a School of Promise. Congratulations to Principal Law, Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson, and the school community.”
George Washington High School received the ‘School of Promise’ award for the staff’s efforts to strengthen classroom teaching and learning. These efforts have resulted in student math scores on the SAT increasing so that George Washington High School now exceeds the state average. Most impressively, the school has raised its graduation rate by 15 points from 2022 to 2025, outpacing the state’s average growth in the same time.
“When teachers receive the support they need to strengthen their instruction, we know that student outcomes improve,” said NIET Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Barnett. “George Washington High School has prioritized strong classroom instruction across grade levels and content areas, resulting in increased achievement and graduation rates. We look forward to seeing how the George Washington High School staff continues to help students excel.”
About George Washington High School
George Washington High School is a ninth to twelfth grade campus in Indianapolis. It educates nearly 730 students, over half of whom qualify for free/reduced-price lunch. In partnership with NIET, George Washington High School provides regular professional learning focused on the individual needs of teachers and students. The school, led by Principal Dr. Stanley Law, has adopted systems that maximize the talents of teacher leaders and school leaders to drive student growth. As a result, educators and students now benefit from a culture of collaboration and reflection.
“Being named a School of Promise affirms the intentional work happening every day at George Washington High School,” said Law. “With NIET’s partnership, we have elevated instruction, strengthened our leadership systems, and are seeing real results for students. We are proud of the progress and even more focused on what’s ahead.”
For images of George Washington High School and more information about the School of Promise award, visit the NIET newsroom.
About NIET
The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a national nonprofit based in Arizona that serves states and districts nationwide. For 25 years, NIET has partnered with schools, districts, states, and universities to build educator excellence and give all students the opportunity for success. NIET’s initiatives, including the TAP System, teacher and leader development, school improvement, rubric and observation systems, and educator preparation, have impacted more than 350,000 educators and 3.5 million students across the U.S.