51³Ô¹Ï

What are the 51³Ô¹Ï Laurel Awards?
The 51³Ô¹Ï Laurel Awards recognize the educational institutions that do exceptional work for students and families as identified by the independent educational consultants (IECs) who know them best. Winners are selected by the 51³Ô¹Ï Board and celebrated at the 51³Ô¹Ï Annual Conference.

Who is eligible to apply?
Any institution—or a program within an institution—may apply, so long as the overarching institution is accredited by a recognized accrediting body. This applies internationally as well as in the United States.

Can a single program or department apply, rather than the whole institution?
Yes. A specific program within a larger institution may apply in the relevant award category, provided the overarching institution is accredited as described above. The entry should focus on the program being recognized.

Are international institutions and programs eligible?
Yes. International applicants are welcome and are held to the same standard: accreditation or recognition by an appropriate accrediting body in their country.

Does our institution need to work with 51³Ô¹Ï members?
Yes, in the sense that every entry must be supported by at least one letter of recommendation(opens in new tab) from an 51³Ô¹Ï member consultant. This keeps the awards anchored in the IEC community, which is central to their meaning.

What do winners receive?
Winners are recognized at the 51³Ô¹Ï Annual Conference and featured through a winner profile and press support, and receive a Laurel Award mark they can display. The goal is meaningful recognition that raises the profile of both the winner and the field.

If we don't win, can we apply again?
Yes. The awards run annually, and we encourage strong programs to apply again in future cycles.

How do we apply?
Applications are submitted online by the institution or program (self-application), supported by one or more IEC. You'll complete a short set of narrative prompts for your award and attach supporting evidence. We recommend reading the application guide for your award first which includes the full scoring rubric.

Is there a fee to apply?
No. There is no fee to apply.

Do we need a letter of recommendation from an IEC? How do we get one?
At least one from an 51³Ô¹Ï member is required. If you have strong relationships with independent educational consultants who know your work, reach out to ask whether they would be willing to write on your behalf. The letter adds firsthand, credible endorsement and is factored into scoring.

Can we apply for more than one award?
Each award targets a specific type of organization, so most applicants will fit one category. If a large institution has distinct programs that genuinely fit different awards, those programs may apply separately. Apply where your work fits best rather than submitting the same entry in multiple categories.

What will we need to prepare?
A few short narrative responses specific to your award, supporting evidence (data, testimonials, media, or links), one or more IEC letters of recommendation(opens in new tab). If your entry features an individual student, client, or family, signed consent and de-identification is required. Each award guide lists exactly what's required.

Are there word limits on the narrative questions?
Yes, each prompt states its limit in the form.

When do applications open and close?
Applications open on November 2, 2026, and close January 31, 2027. Winners are selected in February 2027 and recognized at the 51³Ô¹Ï Annual Conference in May 2027.

How are winners chosen?
Every complete, eligible entry is scored by the 51³Ô¹Ï Board of Directors against a published rubric specific to each award. Three board members score each entry independently on a 1–5 scale; scores are calibrated, and strict conflict-of-interest recusals apply. The board makes the final selection.

What are the judging criteria?
Each award has its own rubric with weighted criteria, published in full in the application guide.

How many winners are there?
The number of winners is chosen at 51³Ô¹Ï's discretion. To keep the honor meaningful, 51³Ô¹Ï may choose not to grant an award in a given year if no entry meets the bar

When and how will we be notified?
Winners are notified confidentially after the board's selection in February 2027 and asked to keep the news private until the publication date. All applicants will be informed of the outcome.

How do you protect the privacy of students, clients, and families?
The winning institution is named and celebrated, but individual students, clients, and families are kept anonymous throughout application, judging, and all publicity.

Applicants obtain informed consent (including guardian consent and the minor's assent where applicable), de-identify any individual to a defined standard, and may use a labeled composite. 51³Ô¹Ï verifies consent and de-identification, coordinates with applicants, and may edit materials to protect privacy. Any individual example may be withdrawn before publication, no later than March 1, 2027.

Do we need consent to include an example or case study?
Yes. Any entry that features an identifiable student, client, or family must include signed, informed consent, and the individual must be de-identified. The application guide explains the steps, and consent templates are provided.