The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) held its prestigious Schools of Distinction (SOD) celebration during the 51st Annual Conference for Middle Level Education, AMLE24, which took place in Nashville, Tennessee from November 6-9, 2024. This year’s celebration was not only a recognition of educational excellence but also a vibrant gathering of educators committed to the middle school model and the success of young adolescents.
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the “red carpet treatment” given to the representatives of the newly recognized schools. As they entered the celebration venue, they were greeted with cheers and applause from past SOD recipients and AMLE leadership, creating an atmosphere of community and achievement. This warm welcome underscored the importance of recognition in education, celebrating not just the schools but the entire community that supports them.
Katie Johnson, principal of Belmont Ridge Middle School, a 2022 School of Distinction, and current Chair of the Schools of Distinction Committee, delivered remarks on the transformative impact of the program. She highlighted how participation in the SOD program has opened numerous doors for networking, professional development, and visibility for her school. Her speech was a testament to how the program fosters an ongoing commitment to educational excellence and community among middle level educators regardless of school type or location.
After completing a rigorous evaluation and continuous improvement process, seventeen schools were selected for recognition in 2024:
- Beach Street Middle School – West Islip, NY
- Cave Spring Middle School – Cave Spring, VA
- Crayton Middle School – Columbia, SC
- Custer Baker Intermediate School – Franklin, IN
- Dorseyville Middle School – Pittsburgh, PA
- Ewa Makai Middle School – Ewa Beach, HI
- Girls Preparatory School – Chattanooga, TN
- Hidden Valley Middle School – Roanoke, VA
- J. Lupton Simpson Middle School – Leesburg, VA
- Marietta Sixth Grade Academy – Marietta, GA
- McCulloch Intermediate School – Dallas, TX
- Miguel Juarez Middle School – Waukegan, IL
- Readington Middle School – Whitehouse Station, NJ
- Seven Hills School – Richmond, VA
- Stevenson Middle School – Honolulu, HI
- Tomahawk Creek Middle School – Midlothian, VA
- Willard Middle School – Aldie, VA
You can learn more about each school through the school profiles available on the SOD webpage.
Surprise Superlative Awards
Adding a light-hearted and personal touch to the ceremony, schools were surprised with superlative awards based on observations from their site reviewers. Awards such as “Most Enthusiastic Student Panel,” “Best Administrative Comradery,” and “Most Complimentary Parents” were handed out, celebrating the unique strengths and cultures of each school. These awards not only recognized the schools’ achievements but also their community’s spirit and dedication.
More than an awards ceremony, the 2024 AMLE Schools of Distinction was a reaffirmation of the power of AMLE’s membership community and its shared commitment to creating educational environments where every student can thrive.
Looking to 2025
The celebration also served as a launchpad for the next cycle of recognition. Applications for the 2025 class of AMLE Schools of Distinction are now open, inviting schools to embark on this journey of self-assessment, strategic vision setting, and celebration of middle grades best practices. Interested schools can learn more about the criteria, benefits, and application process at AMLE’s official Schools of Distinction page.