Agreed with @sarahk there are no different rules that you have used so far!! Ranking on the search engine depends on the quality back links you have, i mean you should write an quality article having appropriate keyword density that's it once you're up to the mark you are automatically going to rank in the search engine.
Definitely rules are no different as said by "sarahk" But you should make a little bit more efforts to get links from .edu and .gov sites.
Well, links, referrals, adequate content, social presence, keyword analysis and optimization - you need to work on your SEO, just like @My Property Stores said, and you'll get there. You just need to optimize like any other website, with a strong presence in your niche communities, adequate content and keywords - focused on education in this case.
Use Unique fresh Content and Relevant Keywords as per white Hat SEO. Increase back links you will get rank.