While the school was notified in the fall that they were a top-three contender, they officially took home the number one spot in November. This marks the first time Alliance has received the honor, and what makes it truly special is that the win was driven entirely by organic votes from local parents and community members.
The Foundation of Success: Moral Focus™
At the heart of Alliance Academy’s identity is the National Heritage Academies® (NHA®) Moral Focus™ curriculum, which Principal Jenny White credits as a primary driver for the school’s deep-rooted community trust. Unlike schools that treat character education as an afterthought, Alliance weaves nine core virtues, such as integrity, respect, and perseverance, into the very fabric of the school day."We celebrate those virtues every single day," White shared. "It’s not just a lesson; it’s how we interact with one another. When parents see their children coming home and talking about wisdom or self-control, they realize this is more than just a place for academics, it’s a place where their child is being built into a person of character."
The NHA Advantage
A significant factor behind this sustained success is Alliance Academy’s position under the NHA umbrella. This partnership provides a unique blend of local autonomy and robust support, ensuring that Principal White and her staff can focus entirely on student growth.By leveraging the NHA academic blueprint and rigorous data-tracking tools, the school has achieved incredible results, currently performing in the 90th percentile statewide. This partnership ensures that while Alliance remains a community school at heart, it has the sophisticated resources and stability of a proven educational network driving its excellence.
Why Alliance Stands Out
The school’s success is built on a unique synergy between high behavioral standards and elite academic performance. Principal White, a 20-year veteran of the school, notes that the environment parents fall in love with is one of intentionality and high expectations.The school’s academic prowess is bolstered by its parent partnership model where families are more involved than ever, taking ownership of the school culture through a revitalized parent teacher organization (PTO) and participating in schoolwide initiatives that foster a genuine sense of belonging. This combination of the NHA framework, community-driven spirit, and top-tier results has solidified Alliance’s standing as a high-achieving institution that truly feels like a family.
Commemorating the Win
To celebrate the achievement, Principal White provided the staff with custom Alliance keychains and classroom signage to recognize their collective effort in building such a trusted community brand. She emphasized that the award belongs to the teachers who live out the school's mission every day."Because it's voted on publicly, it was kind of a shock,” White said. “Highlighting that parents have a true impact on spreading the great things that are happening in the community is good to capitalize on. We weren't the ones that called the magazine and said, 'Hey, can you put us in here?' This came from the families who feel the impact of our work."
Looking to the Future
The goal for 2026 is to keep this momentum moving forward. Principal White is looking to expand student opportunities for community service, allowing them to take their Moral Focus™ virtues out into the Queen City. The school also plans to expand after-school club offerings to ensure that every student has a place to connect and grow outside of traditional classroom hours.Congratulations to Principal White and the entire Alliance Academy team on this well-deserved recognition!
About Alliance Academy of Cincinnati
Alliance Academy of Cincinnati is a tuition-free, public charter school in Cincinnati, Ohio, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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