Awards and Accolades
The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) aims to advance education through responsible communication and practical approaches to solving school district and agency communication problems. NSPRA provides school communication training and services to school leaders throughout the United States, Canada, and the U.S. Dependent Schools worldwide.
Gold Medallion Award
In 2025, Columbia Public Schools and the Community Relations Department received one of 13 Gold Medallions, the top program award, recognizing superior educational public relations programs and campaigns grounded in strategic communication best practices. The award is for Student Safety Initiatives in CPS: Our Course of Action.
"NSPRA’s Gold Medallion program is the only national awards competition that specifically recognizes comprehensive, strategic school public relations programs," NSPRA Executive Director Barbara Hunter, APR, said . "This year, 13 Gold Medallion winners were selected from among 76 competitive entries submitted by school communication programs across the United States. The judging team – consisting of experienced, award-winning, accredited communication professionals – found your work on behalf of NSPRA in the category of Special Communication Project / Campaign to be truly exemplary."
Golden Achievement Awards
The Golden Achievement Award recognizes exemplary work in all aspects of school public relations, communication, marketing, and engagement. Each entry is judged individually against the contest criteria, not against other entries, and judges select as many winners as meet the award criteria.
Publication and Digital Media Excellence Awards
NSPRA’s Publications and Digital Media Excellence Awards recognize outstanding education publications and marketing/informational materials (print and electronic), video/TV/radio programs, social media, and websites. Possible honors include Awards of Excellence, the highest level of recognition; Awards of Merit, the second-place level of recognition; and Honorable Mention, the third-place level of recognition in various categories.