Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy PTA in Alexandria was among 330 schools nationwide named a 2024-2026 National PTA School of Excellence for building strong family-school partnerships.
The program recognizes PTAs and schools that enrich the educational experience and overall well-being of students through family engagement efforts.
“At PTA, we believe that every strategy to accelerate learning must include families,” said Yvonne Johnson, National PTA president. “Decades of research show that family engagement is just as essential as other school improvement strategies.”
National PTA, also based in Alexandria, announced the awards on Tuesday.
The K-5 school in Old Town Alexandria serves 382 students and is a Core Knowledge School of Distinction, one of only eight schools nationwide to attain that level of academic rigor. The school has previously earned recognition as a National School of Character and won the Governor’s Award for Best Practices in Nutrition and Physical Fitness for seven consecutive years. It also holds the Purple Star School designation for supporting military families.
The School of Excellence program requires a year-long commitment to strengthening family-school partnerships. PTAs and schools collect community feedback to create action plans that improve family engagement.
The Lyles-Crouch PTA previously earned recognition from the Virginia PTA as an Impactful PTA for 2024-2025. The school’s PTA organized a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day and other family events and community outreach programs.
“The LCTA PTA is honored to have been recognized by the Virginia PTA as an Impactful PTA in 2024-2025 for having had a notable impact in engaging and welcoming families and creating that community network of support that helps our students thrive,” the PTA said on its website.
Gunston Middle School PTA in Arlington received the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Award of Merit, one of three schools nationwide to earn top recognition.
Enrollment for the 2025-2026 program runs through Oct. 15. Information is available at PTA.org/Excellence.
