No Excuses' School, Everything You Need to Know! Discover the Benefits of No-Excuse Schools, The No-Excuses model of discipline and how to Get into a No-Excuse school.

1. Should You Attend a ‘No Excuses’ School? The Pros and Cons
What Is a No-Excuses School?
In a no-excuses school, administrators and teachers have high expectations for student
behavior and academic achievement. Students learn to readily accept responsibility for their
actions, choose to follow rules, complete work on time and refrain from using excuses or
blaming others when they fail to perform up to standard.
Teachers in these schools are not only present to teach, but also to monitor and keep order.
Students who violate the rules of the school or disrupt instruction are disciplined promptly and
consistently. This type of school is meant to create an atmosphere that encourages students to
make good choices which can be transferred into their personal lives as well. Overall, all
responsibility for student behavior rests with teachers and administrators.
The No-Excuses Philosophy
The no-excuses philosophy is founded on six key principles:
 High expectations
 Rigorous standards
 Clear rules
 Effective discipline
 Strong parent involvement

2.  Supportive school communities
The goal is to eradicate “crimes of opportunity” through a strict disciplinary environment in which
students are not given any advantage over teachers by misbehaving. This belief involves that all
students can achieve academic success if they work hard enough for it. It also asserts that all
children have value as human beings despite their shortcomings or difficult backgrounds.
No-excuses schools have grown in popularity since the early 1990s due largely to No Child Left
Behind legislation. Schools must meet federal standards which include standardized test
performance and high attendance rates. In addition, principals at no-excuses schools believe
these values are gaining popularity due to the overall shift in education reform.
What Is the No-Excuses Policy?
No-excuses policies are put into place to create an environment that demands compliance for
rules and regulations. This ensures students are focused on learning, not the drama that often
occurs in the hallways. There is no more discussion or debate as to what is allowed or not
allowed – one rule applies to all.
Some no-excuses schools also implement a uniform policy, which means all students must
wear a standardized school uniform throughout their day.
What Are the Benefits of No-Excuses Schools?
No-excuses schools have seen positive results in their students, which is why more and more
parents and educators are looking for ways to implement these policies throughout
their curriculum.
Teachers report that students who attend no-excuses schools come prepared (with completed
homework) and ready to learn – there are no distractions that would interfere with teaching
goals. In addition, teachers experience higher levels of engagement with their students because
it is easier to teach when everyone accepts responsibility for his or her actions.
Best of all, when a student succeeds, the entire class wins! Everyone feels good about their
academic performance and their school community.
What Are the Common Features of No-Excuses Behavior Policies?

3. In order for a policy to be classified as “no-excuses,” it must ensure students know what is
expected from them before they walk into the building – whether that means checking in at the
office or writing down assignments. It also means teachers require promptness during class
time with zero tolerance for tardiness.
The idea behind this style of management is that if students are held responsible for their
actions early on, they will continue to manage their own behavior throughout the day.
Is High School of America a No-Excuse School?
Yes, we do follow a strict no-excuses policy with the students in order to minimize distractions.
Hence, teachers can focus on teaching and ensuring each student gets an equal opportunity to
learn.
What Are No Excuse Charters?
No excuses charter schools are tuition-free public schools, where students are held to high
standards and are expected to work hard.
The no excuses mentality means taking responsibility for your learning, treating teachers with
respect, and being on time for classes.
Are No Excuses Charter Schools Any Different FromTraditional Public Schools?

4. Yes! The difference between Traditional Public Schools and No Excuses Charters is
expectations. No Excuses charters hold students accountable for their behavior and their
learning.
Traditional public schools allow students to be disrespectful and to not try in school, because
they are under the impression that those kids will just grow up and graduate anyway.
What Is No Excuses School Model?
The No Excuses Model is a framework for developing schools and systems based on the
following principles:
1. Hold high expectations for all students
2. Develop systems of support that proactively address barriers to learning, and create
conditions in which failure is not an option, so all students are college-ready, career-
ready, and life-ready.
3. Provide targeted approaches to ensure populations of students historically
underrepresented in educational opportunity have access to resources needed for
success.
How Do You Get Into a No Excuses Charter School?
Each No Excuses Charter School has their own application process, but most have application
deadlines in January or February and open slots are usually filled by lottery if there is more
demand for seats than there are available spots on a first come basis.
Which Behaviors Are Not Allowed at “No Excuses” Schools?
In strict schools, there is often zero tolerance for:
 Disrespect to teachers and staff members
 Tardiness
 Leaving early
 Failure to follow rules outlined both in the student handbook & communicated by
teachers throughout the year-long course
 Disrespectful language
 Inappropriate clothing (including shoes)
 Participation in any kind of violence or any illegal activity
What Is the No Excuses Learning Model?
NO EXCUSES LEARNING MODEL is rooted in a no-excuses philosophy that all students can
learn at their highest potential when they have excellent teachers with high expectations for
student performance and support from everyone in the school community.
High School of America follows this model, which means we teach to every student, not just the
ones who are easy to educate. It also means we believe in providing extra help to those who
need it – after-school tutoring and 24/7 classes are available for any student who needs
additional support.

5. We hold teens accountable for what they know starting on day one – so if you come here
unprepared or unwilling to work, we won’t waste our time. But if you are ready to learn, it’s on us
to rise up and meet your challenge.
What Is No Excuses School Culture?
Culture is defined as a way of thinking, behaving, or doing something that exists among
members of a group for a while, especially within an organization.
School culture can be thought of as the “character” of your school – the personality and feeling it
has among the students, staff, parents & community. The culture at our school is one where we
strive for excellence in all corners of learning.
What Is No Excuses Parent Involvement?
In No Excuses schools, parent involvement is very important. Students cannot succeed if they
are not in a place to learn. That means having great teachers who hold them accountable and
giving them the tools to be successful both inside and outside of the classroom.
Parents play a key role in ensuring their child does not fall behind and assist teachers in
developing students who are ready for the real world.
What Is No Excuses Education?
No Excuses Education is about removing all barriers that stand between a student and their
education so they can have every opportunity to learn, grow and succeed in life.
We set rigorous standards that prepare our kids for success in high school, college and beyond.
We give them the tools to be successful by holding them accountable for what they know, not
how they feel or behave; ensuring parents are involved & supportive of their learning; providing
additional instruction & support during the school day; creating challenging courses & engaging
lessons; and keeping kids safe while they learn.
Are No Excuses Schools Stricter Than Traditional Schools?

6. No. Excuses Schools are not stricter, really, they hold their students to a higher standard of
excellence.
Every school class has clear guidelines and rules for appropriate behavior, dress code
expectations, and specific academic requirements expected by teachers which outline how each
student is going to be successful in the classroom.
What’s the Difference Between “Rigor” at Other Schools vs. No Excuses Rigorous
Curriculum?
At other schools, rigor might mean having a tough teacher tell you that you need to try harder or
spend more time studying. At HSOA, though, we give our students everything they need to
know so they don’t just pass an exam, but absolutely crush it on day one!
What Is the No Excuses Model of Discipline?
Simply put, every school’s disciplinary system should be designed to ensure that students learn
as much in detention (or ISS) as they do in the classroom. Using this model, teachers and
administrators work together to create a strong link between behavior and consequences.
What Is the No Excuses Safe School Environment?
High School of America believes in creating an educational institution where all staff, parents,
students, and community members work together to keep kids safe learning both inside and
outside of the classroom. Keeping children safe is our priority – so naturally, we are constantly
monitoring their safety at all times- even when they are not technically on campus.
Why Do Students Need a No Excuses Education?
It’s important to recognize that every single child has unlimited potential.

7. No Excuses Schools not only prepare students academically for success in High School,
College & Life but we also educate them on how to be better versions of themselves with future
careers, as we strive for excellence among all members of our faculty, staff, parents, and
community. All this while sharing the same vision and values and working toward common goals
for our students at HSOA.