At TeachUNITED, we believe in the power of dedicated educators to transform learning outcomes, and Christa McAuliffe School in Concord, NH, is a shining example of that impact.

Six years ago, Christa McAuliffe was identified as a school in need of improvement due to low proficiency scores. Rather than accepting this designation, the school’s leadership and educators embarked on a transformational journey — one that would redefine their approach to instruction and student success.

“We have approximately 360 students from kindergarten through grade five, and we enjoy a culturally diverse population of students with varied socioeconomic backgrounds. In 2018, our school was identified as a school in need of improvement for its low scores in English Language Arts on our statewide assessment,” says Kris Gallo, Principal.

In December 2024, Christa McAuliffe was named a National ESEA Distinguished School, an honor recognizing only about 100 schools nationwide for exceptional student achievement.

A factor in this success was the school’s collaboration with TeachUNITED, where administrators, teachers, and special educators engaged in targeted training focused on growth mindset, authentic engagement, personalized learning, and data-driven instruction. This initiative helped educators refine instructional methods and increase student confidence.

“The TeachUNITED professional development offered to our school was unique from the typical one-shot workshop, which provides great ideas but leaves you on your own. The TU trainers supported us through all our work over the last three years. We created and presented capstone projects showcasing the high-impact strategies that worked for our students. We planned and implemented trainings for our staff with the help of the TU team, utilizing the structures that made the most sense for us, our schedules, and our students.” – Principal Kris Gallo, Christa McAuliffe School

The results? A staggering improvement in English Language Arts on the statewide assessment — an overall proficiency rate of 76%. Hear about the journey from Kris in this video:

Congratulations to Christa McAuliffe School on this well-earned recognition! Their story is a testament to the power of collaboration, strategic instruction, and dedicated teachers. TeachUNITED is honored to have been part of their journey, and we look forward to supporting more schools in their pursuit of excellence.

The Christa McAuliffe School wasn’t alone in achieving measurable impact. Check out this brief to learn more about TeachUNITED’s impact throughout the state.