Columbus, OH — Thursday, August 8, 2024
The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) is proud to announce that seventeen schools have been named 2024 AMLE Schools of Distinction. This prestigious recognition honors schools that demonstrate outstanding commitment to middle grades best practice.
The 2024 Schools of Distinction are:
- 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
AMLE’s Schools of Distinction program recognizes exemplary schools while supporting them through a process of strategic vision setting to help foster ongoing growth and success. The program’s evaluation criteria are anchored in AMLE’s landmark position paper on best practice in the middle grades, The Successful Middle School: This We Believe, now in its fifth edition and 42nd year of publication.
Each recipient school underwent a rigorous review process that assessed their implementation of middle grades best practices and continuous improvement plans. This process included stakeholder interviews with staff, students, and families to provide a comprehensive evaluation.
“It is a privilege to recognize such an incredible group of schools, and I’m excited for AMLE to be able to share their stories,” said Stephanie Simpson, AMLE CEO, “AMLE Schools of Distinction proves that the middle school model may look different in each school, but it’s possible in every school. Through this program, we are building a network of educators who are committed to the success of young adolescents and are actively learning from and supporting each other.”
Each recipient is now featured on the AMLE website with a detailed school profile highlighting their exemplary practices. The profiles can also be accessed through a searchable database of all AMLE Schools of Distinction and a mini-professional development video library to support and inspire other schools in their own continuous improvement journeys.
![SOD Map](https://www.amle.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/SOD-Map.png)
“The AMLE Schools of Distinction Committee extends its heartfelt congratulations to our 2024 Schools of Distinction! We eagerly anticipate celebrating this achievement at our annual conference in November and learning about the exemplary practices at these distinguished middle schools,” said Katie Johnson, Chair of the AMLE Schools of Distinction Committee. “I deeply appreciate the support and collaboration of all school stakeholders, committee members, and AMLE staff in this year’s selection process.”
The recipient schools will be recognized and present on their exemplary practices live at AMLE24: The 51st Annual Conference for Middle Level Education this November in Nashville, TN.
AMLE recognizes schools that meet the Schools of Distinction criteria on an annual basis. The program is open to any school that educates 10–15-year-old students. The AMLE website contains more information about AMLE Schools of Distinction and The Successful Middle School Program.
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About the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE)
The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) is an international membership organization that helps middle grades educators reach every student, grow professionally, and create great schools. To learn more, visit www.amle.org.