Newsletter Library
The Most Important Stretch of the School Year
Happy New Year from the Simply Great Schools team! As 2026 begins, we’re inspired by the work happening in schools across the country, and ready to help you make these next few months your strongest yet.
What You Name is What You Get
Happy holidays from the Simply Great Schools team! Here’s to rest, reflection, and recharging for the important work ahead. We’re grateful for all you do to make classrooms and communities stronger.
One Shift That Transforms Reading
Reading in class should be one of the most active activities we do. But here’s what usually happens: hand kids a text, tell them to “read,” and hope deep thinking magically happens.
4 Feedback Moves We're Thankful For
Four things every school, regardless of school design and population served, could do to drive academic achievement…
Making HQIM Work
Some schools are seeing significant academic gains after HQIM adoption, but most aren't…
What is Rigor…Really?
One of the most overused words in education: rigor. Ask 10 people what it means, and you’ll get 10 different answers…
The Hidden Cost of a Calm Classroom
A classroom can look perfectly managed, and still fall short on rigor. Make your school a place where low rigor is as high priority an issue to fix as off-track student culture…
Two Questions That Change Everything
Most principals wait too long to start listening tours. And at good schools, it’s usually for a good reason: they’re out in the field coaching like crazy, setting a high bar for student culture…
Do Less. But Do It Better.
The 80/20 rule says that a small number of actions drive most of the results. In schools, it’s everywhere…