Romensko pointed out a NYTimes article that boils down the foundation of a great student newspaper:

Michael Winerip’s list:
* Smart students working monstrous hours;
* A tireless adviser; and
* A principal who believes in free speech, including the freedom to criticize the principal.
PLUS: A teen reporter finds out who’s having sex in school and writes about the hanky-panky.

Michael Winerip Will Sullivan’s list:
* Smart students people working monstrous hours with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge (professional training and reporting);
* A tireless adviser; editor and
* A principal publisher who believes in free speech, including the freedom to criticize the principal anyone that wrongs the public, including advertisers.
PLUS: A teen reporter finds out who’s having sex in school and writes about the hanky-panky. (There’s enough of this already.)