The staff at the Hanover Highlands has adopted a philosophy of no excuses. They believe every child can and will succeed academically, regardless of the challenges they face.

If students speak limited English – they can succeed. If students come from poor families – they can succeed. For this belief and the schools hard working staff and dedication the school has officially been designated a No Excuses University.

“Our school works very hard to ensure that every child can and will be successful. This is evident in our daily work with students and most recently in our results on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test,” Hanover Highlands Principal David Negron said. “Our school made some excellent gains in both reading and math this past year and we will work hard to continue to make academic gains. Becoming a No Excuses University will help us further our efforts and philosophy that all of our students will attend college one day.”

No Excuses University was coined by TurnAround Schools. It began in a struggling school in San Diego. The students were from poor families. Many spoke limited English. Test scores were dismal. However, the principal at that school told staff that if you don’t think all students can learn, you don’t belong at this school. The school, Los Pen, turned itself around and test scores rose dramatically.

Hanover Highlands has already had some similar results. Negron and his staff hope to continue to improve their school until Hanover Highlands is recognized as one of the best schools in the state of Illinois. Staff members have been wearing their college shirts throughout the year and have proudly posted their college banners and pennants on school walls.

“Incorporating the college theme and philosophy has helped to foster both a positive and energetic school culture for our school and community,” Negron said. “Already this year, classroom teachers have created partnerships with many colleges and universities. These partnerships include getting T-shirts donated to classrooms, establishing pen pals with college alumni and attending local universities so students get a better understanding of college life. We have many universities represented including Northern Illinois University, the University of Chicago, Harvard University and the University of Texas.”

The road toward becoming a No Excuses University began in the 2008-09 school year when staff attended an all day training session with Los Pen Principal Damen Lopez at Hanover Highlands.

“We are more than proud to be associated with your fine school as you possess the same ideals of the other NEU schools in our network,” Lopez said of Hanover Highlands. “From your plans to further the development of a culture of universal achievement, to your work in the area of exceptional systems, your application showed a true dedication to holding students, parents and staff to the highest expectations possible. We were very impressed with how quickly and effectively your school was able to implement the culture of universal achievement and have academic success.”

There are now 59 No Excuses Universities nationwide, including District 54’s Fox School in Hanover Park and Lakeview and Muir schools in Hoffman Estates. TurnAround Schools, started by the principals of Los Pen, encourages other schools to apply.

As part of their application, each school has to show how it fosters “Cultures of Universal Achievement” through:

Belief and Commitment
Schools must have the belief and commitment that every student, even those thought to be at-risk, will achieve high levels of academic success and by doing so will successfully prepare himself to graduate from college.

Maverick Spirit
Having a maverick spirit means approaching one’s work with a bold confidence and doing what is right no matter the cost. Those with a maverick spirit take great pride in creating opportunities for every child to be successful, especially when others claim that doing so is impossible.

Academic Results
No Excuses Universities provide enriched, balanced, and supportive environments for children, but these characteristics fade in importance if every child is not experiencing academic success.

Conversation
To change a school culture, one must first change the conversation. Conversations among staff, children and parents must focus on learning and preparing for college.

Powerful Symbolism
Symbols communicate the expectation that each student will put forth great effort, behave responsibly and achieve impressively. These symbols include motivational signs and student recognition, displays of student work and graphics reporting academic achievement data, and college pennants and apparel.