Riverwalk Academy Selected as Finalist for National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Founder’s Award, $10,000 Cash Prize
March 12, 2026
School one of five nationwide recognized for outstanding efforts to foster educator excellence and advance student success, contending for a $50,000 grand prize
Rock Hill, S.C. (March 12, 2026) - The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) announced today that Riverwalk Academy in South Carolina Public Charter School District, South Carolina, won $10,000 for its selection as an NIET Founder’s Award finalist. The prestigious Founder’s Award was created by Lowell Milken in 2008 to honor one school in the United States each year for exceptional implementation of NIET’s principles to build educator excellence and advance student success. Riverwalk Academy is among five schools nationwide under consideration for the $50,000 grand prize, which will be announced at NIET’s national conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 1, 2026.
“The success of Riverwalk Academy demonstrates how a common language for strong instruction, high expectations for teachers, and individualized coaching can increase teacher effectiveness and retention,” said NIET Founder Lowell Milken. “Congratulations to Head of School Dr. Robert Compton, South Carolina Public Charter School District Superintendent Chris Neeley, and the Riverwalk staff for their impact on student success.”
Founder’s Award finalists are selected by NIET based on several factors, including improving classroom instruction, creating high-quality professional learning focused on the real-time needs of teachers and students, and engaging teacher leaders and school leaders in building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
At Riverwalk Academy, teachers and students thrive with a combination of high expectations and the support needed to meet them. From 2023 to 2025, the percentage of Riverwalk Academy’s elementary students who met or exceeded expectations on the English Language Arts state assessment outpaced the state and increased by eight points. At the high school level, the percentage of Riverwalk Academy students scoring a “C” or higher on the English End-of-Course assessment increased from 60% in 2023 to 76% in 2025. Riverwalk Academy also experienced an 18 point increase in the percentage of students scoring a “C” or higher on the Algebra End-of-Course assessment in the same time period.
“As a school that serves students ranging from kindergarten to grade 12, Riverwalk Academy strives to meet the needs of every student,” said NIET Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Barnett. “They do so by ensuring that all teachers feel valued and receive the support they need to transform instruction and student outcomes.”
What Makes Riverwalk Academy Unique?
Riverwalk Academy is a kindergarten through 12th grade charter school located about two hours east of Greenville, in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The school educates approximately 700 students across elementary, middle, and high school grades, over half of whom qualify as “pupils in poverty.” With a focus on creating a positive learning environment for teachers and students, Riverwalk Academy uses a common instructional language to help ensure instructional excellence happens across classrooms and grade levels. Dr. Compton and his leadership team work each day to set clear expectations and provide the support needed to succeed.
In partnership with NIET, Riverwalk Academy has created teacher leadership roles and opportunities for teachers to grow into instructional leadership positions. These instructionally-focused leaders guide professional learning, facilitate professional learning communities, and support their colleagues in reflecting on and refining instructional strategies.
“We have intentionally built leadership pathways for teachers and continue to expand these opportunities through mentor teacher roles, team leadership, and instructional leadership positions,” said Compton. “These pathways allow teachers to broaden their impact without leaving the classroom, contributing to strong retention, particularly among high-performing educators who might otherwise seek leadership opportunities elsewhere.”
To support the professional learning facilitated by instructional leaders, Riverwalk Academy uses the NIET Teaching and Learning Standards Rubric to create a shared language that defines high-quality instruction. This has led to increased clarity and consistency during feedback and professional learning. The common instructional language helps ensure that high-quality instruction happens across the campus.
“NIET’s structures have enabled Riverwalk to develop both teacher and principal leaders, strengthen instructional effectiveness, and ensure that improvements in adult practice translate directly into improved outcomes for students,” said Compton. “Our partnership with NIET has helped us move from belief to intentional practice by providing the structures, language, and consistency to develop and sustain instructional excellence.”
Riverwalk Academy teachers are thriving with clear expectations around instruction, paired with meaningful feedback and distributed leadership. The school has built a culture of continuous improvement reflected in a 95% teacher retention rate as teachers feel valued, supported, and invested in their students' success. As teachers have strengthened their instruction, Riverwalk Academy’s students have benefited. In 2025, Riverwalk Academy earned an “Excellent” rating for the high school and achieved a 100% graduation rate.
“NIET’s framework has helped Riverwalk move from isolated instructional practice to a shared vision of excellence in every classroom,” said Compton. “Teachers are not only retained; they are developed, empowered, and inspired to lead. This culture ensures that students benefit from effective teaching year after year, regardless of grade level or content area.”
Riverwalk Academy joins fellow finalists Horizon Honors Elementary School (Horizon Honors Schools, Arizona); Marthaville Elementary & Junior High School (Natchitoches Parish School Board, Louisiana); Northview Middle School (Metropolitan School District of Washington Township, Indiana); and Sorrento Primary School (Ascension Public Schools, Louisiana) in contention for the $50,000 Founder’s Award grand prize.
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.