The best student publications aren’t built overnight.
They’re built one goal, one story, and one achievement at a time.
The SNO Distinguished Sites program challenges news staffs to meet six standards that help create a dynamic, engaging online publication. Each badge celebrates a meaningful accomplishment, giving students tangible goals to pursue and advisers a framework for building a thriving newsroom and
a more impactful news site.
Programs that earn all six badges are recognized as a SNO Distinguished Site, an honor that celebrates their commitment to excellence in digital journalism. Distinguished Sites also receive a press release, a letter for their institution’s principal or public relations department, and a commemorative plaque.
Distinguished Sites Badges
Excellence in Writing Badge
Exceptional journalism stands out. This badge is awarded to publications that have at least one story from the current school year selected for publication on Best of SNO, a showcase of outstanding student journalism from across the SNO Network.
Audience Engagement Badge
The most engaging stories inspire readers to do more than scroll. To earn this badge, a news staff must create interactive story experiences that encourage readers to participate while demonstrating active readership.
Multimedia Badge
Today’s journalists need more than a notebook and a keyboard. To earn this badge, a news staff must showcase excellence in storytelling by using multiple media formats to create engaging, impactful journalism.
Story Page Excellence Badge
Digital storytelling offers possibilities that print never could. To earn this badge, a news staff must create compelling story pages that elevate reporting through thoughtful design and an engaging reader experience.
Continuous Coverage Badge
News is always changing, and great journalists keep up. To earn the Continuous Coverage badge, a news staff must consistently publish content across multiple sections of its publication, provide ongoing coverage of a school or local news event as it develops, and demonstrate a commitment to timely, in-depth reporting.
Site Excellence Badge
Great journalism deserves great presentation. To earn this badge, a news staff must move beyond the default design to create a homepage that is purposeful, visually engaging, and consistently updated with fresh content while demonstrating creativity and skill with the design tools that make it possible.
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