About the Award

In 2004, the KnowledgeWorks Foundation launched the Richard Riley Award – Schools as Centers of Community: A National Search for Excellence. This initiative was part of an effort to support school districts and communities that make school facilities more conducive to learning, and more accessible to the entire community. The recipient of the Richard Riley Award for Excellence in 2004 was John A. Johnson Achievement Plus Elementary School, and in 2005 it was Hudson High School. Learn more about past winners and the honor society

The American Architectural Foundation, in partnership with KnowledgeWorks Foundation, is pleased to continue acknowledgement of community school design achievement through the 2007 Richard Riley Award. In the fall, a school that illustrates both community collaboration and school design excellence will be announced. A $10,000 prize will be awarded to the winning school. The prize will be offered to the school only; individuals are not eligible to receive the award.

American Architectural Foundation

The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that educates individuals and communities about the power of architecture to transform lives and improve the places where we live, learn, work, and play. AAF’s programs include The Mayors’ Institute on City Design and Great Schools by Design – highly regarded initiatives that help improve the built environment through the collaboration of thought leaders, designers, and local communities. Through its outreach programs, grants, exhibitions, and educational resources, the American Architectural Foundation helps people become thoughtful and engaged stewards of the world around them.

Great Schools by Design is a national initiative of the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) that seeks to improve the quality of America’s schools and the communities they serve by promoting collaboration, excellence, and innovation in school design.

Throughout the country, Great Schools by Design engages superintendents, architects, teachers, parents, residents, students, local government officials, and other stakeholders in a far-reaching conversation about what must be done to improve the places where children and young adults learn. We strive to help create schools that both support student achievement and serve as centers of community.

For more information, please visit www.archfoundation.org.

KnowledgeWorks Foundation

KnowledgeWorks Foundation, Ohio’s largest public education philanthropy is committed to furthering universal access to high-quality educational opportunities for individuals to achieve success and for the betterment of society. The Foundation seeks to increase the number and diversity of people who value and access education, by creating and improving educational opportunity at pre-kindergarten through high school and post-high school institutions, and through community organizations.

In Ohio and across the nation, billions of dollars are being spent on the rebuilding of our nation’s public schools. KnowledgeWorks Foundation recognizes the investment as a tremendous opportunity to plan and design schools that increase public ownership of education, respond to current and future learning needs of students, and serve as centers of community.

For more information, please visit www.kwfdn.org.