How to Create a Leaderboard for Your Classroom

Gamification is one of the most effective ways to boost student engagement. A simple classroom leaderboard turns everyday assignments into friendly competition, giving students a visible reason to stay on track and push a little harder.

In this guide we'll walk through creating a classroom leaderboard with MakeTheBoard, from setup to displaying it on your classroom TV.

Why use a leaderboard in the classroom?

Research consistently shows that game mechanics increase motivation. A leaderboard taps into that by giving students:

• Visibility: everyone can see where they stand
• Motivation: a clear incentive to improve
• Recognition: top performers get public kudos
• Accountability: progress (or lack of it) is transparent

The key is keeping it positive. Focus on growth and effort, not just raw scores, so every student feels they have a shot at climbing the board.

Step 1: Create your board

Head to MakeTheBoard and sign up for a free account. From your dashboard, click New Board and choose Leaderboard. Give it a name like "Mrs. Smith's Reading Challenge" or "Period 3 Math Stars."

Step 2: Add your students

Type each student's name and press Enter. You can add up to 25 students on the free plan, more than enough for most classrooms. If you teach multiple sections, create a separate board for each one.

Step 3: Customize the look

Pick your school colors using the color picker, or choose a background theme that matches the subject. A science class? Try the dark theme. An art class? Go bright and bold. Students respond to boards that feel theirs.

Step 4: Update scores

Click any student's score to update it. Changes appear instantly for anyone viewing the board. No refresh needed. Award points for completed homework, quiz scores, participation, or anything else you want to incentivize.

Step 5: Display it

Open the board's public link on your classroom TV, projector, or interactive whiteboard. The board auto-updates in real time, so you never have to touch the display once it's running.

You can also share the link with students and parents so they can check standings from home.

Tips for success

• Update consistently. A stale board loses its magic. Set a routine (e.g., every Friday).
• Celebrate milestones. Call out students who jump five spots, not just whoever is #1.
• Rotate themes. Start a fresh board each month or quarter to keep things exciting.
• Pair with rewards. Even small incentives (homework pass, extra recess) amplify the effect.

Ready to get started?

Creating a classroom leaderboard takes less than a minute. Sign up free and build your first board today.