March is Middle Level Education Month
Shining a Light on the Opportunity of the Middle Grades
March is Middle Level Education Month (MLEM), devoted to celebrating the opportunity of the middle grades and the profound and consequential years of early adolescence.
This year, we’re shining a special light on the adult advocates – educators, counselors, coaches, school support staff, mentors, and more – who help illuminate the journey for our youth. Adult advocates are essential in helping young adolescents develop a sense of agency, be optimistic about the future, and prepare to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Join us as a champion for middle level education! There are a variety of ways both kids and adults can get involved!
Why Middle Level Education Month?
Young adolescence, typically encompassing the middle school years (ages 10-15), is a period of significant biological, cognitive, and social-emotional change. The adolescent brain undergoes substantial development the scope and speed of which is second only to the period from birth to age three, particularly in areas responsible for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. This phase is foundational for setting lifelong learning patterns, behaviors, and attitudes towards education, making it ideal for exploration, self-discovery, expanded learning, and thinking towards the future.
The stakes are high for middle schoolers as their personal development and academic growth during these years can dramatically impact their futures. The quality of students’ middle school experience substantially affects their overall sense of well-being and, in particular, their later chances for high school completion and post-secondary success. Put simply, creating successful middle schools is crucial for both the success of the individual and the success of society at large.
Decades of research tells us that young adolescents thrive when they have access to an education that is specifically designed to meet their unique developmental needs. Learn more about the middle school model, including the 5 Essential Attributes and 18 Characteristics of a Successful Middle School.
2025 Middle School Student Sound Off
Now in its third year, AMLE’s Middle School Student Sound Off is a world-wide celebration of student voice. Open to ages 10-15, students are invited to sound off by creating submissions that share their experience as a middle schooler in 2025.
Because we all have different talents, interests, and ways of expressing ourselves, students can submit in the format that most appeals to them.
AMLE will select submissions to feature on our website, in our publications, and at AMLE25: The 52nd Annual Conference for Middle Level Education. Plus, there are some cool prizes in store for participants!
Shine a Light on an Adult Advocacy
Nominate an Advocate in Your School!
In a successful middle school, every student’s academic and personal development is guided by an adult advocate. In fact, research shows that students who can name an advocate at school experience many benefits, including greater engagement at school, and are less likely to bully or be bullied and participate in risky behavior. Each day, thousands of adult advocates show up for kids in ways that matter to them – from teachers and administrators, to counselors and coaches.
Advocacy is not limited to a singular event or a particular time in the schedule. Rather it is an attitude of caring that translates into actions, big and small, when adults respond to the needs of each young adolescent in their charge.
This Middle Level Education Month, let’s shine a light on amazing adult advocates who illuminate the way for the young people in their care. Each AMLE School member is invited to nominate one educator/administrator adult advocate (teachers, counselors, assistant principal) and one support staff adult advocate (custodian, school secretary, food service personnel) who go above and beyond to build positive, trusting relationships with kids. In gratitude, AMLE will send a certificate and gift to each nominee and we’ll shout out a few of their stories on the AMLE website at the conclusion of MLEM! Nominations are due March 31.*
Want to learn more about what it means to healthy, positive adult advocacy for young adolescents? Explore Successful Middle School Adult Advocates, a companion text to The Successful Middle School: This We Believe.
Support Middle Level Education this MLEM
Help shine a light on the opportunity of the middle grades by supporting the AMLE Foundation Fund this MLEM! The AMLE Foundation Fund promotes excellence and innovation in the middle grades through programs like the Successful Middle School Grant (now accepting 2025 applications!), the Educator of the Year Award, the Successful Middle School Research Project, and the Collegiate Middle Level Association Grants. It also preserves the history of the middle school movement through the Middle Level Legacy Project and Legacy Circle.
This March, support the Foundation and get some cool middle school swag!
Spread the Word: Donate $35 and receive an MLEM t-shirt or AMLE copper candle
Shine a Light: Donate $60 and receive both an MLEM t-shirt and AMLE copper candle
Spread the Word
Shine a light on the magic of the middle with complimentary laptop stickers! Add the sticker package to your cart and use promo code MLEM25 to get them for free (AMLE members only). Be sure to grab your MLEM t-shirt while you’re in the AMLE store, proceeds benefiting the AMLE Foundation Fund.
Share the middle school model with your central office or school board! Request a complimentary copy of The Successful Middle School: This We Believe to raise awareness of middle grades best practice in your district. We’ve also provided template letters and toolkits to help you advocate for your staff and students.
Illuminate the way for young adolescents during a critical developmental stage. Grab the Lighting the Way book collection at a discount through March 31, including Successful Middle School Student Voice, Successful Middle School Adult Advocates, and The Successful Middle School: A Place to Belong and Become.
Follow MLEM on social media! Check us out on X, Facebook, and Instagram where we’ll be spreading the word about the opportunity of the middle grades – with some fun contests along the way!
Change the narrative of middle level education! Provide a testimonial about your experience as a middle grades educator to support AMLE’s advocacy work and the National Policy Agenda for Middle Level Education.
Save on membership! Now through March 31, anyone joining AMLE can enjoy our biggest membership savings of the year! Explore AMLE membership options, and use code “LIGHT” at checkout to receive 25% off!
Spread the word! AMLE has crafted marketing assets for your convenience, ready to share as you promote MLEM in your communities. Help us Shine a Light on the Opportunity of the Middle Grades with our 2025 MLEM Media Kit.
We Want to Hear from You!
Are you doing something amazing at your school to celebrate MLEM? We want to hear from you! Email membercenter@amle.org to share and potentially be featured on AMLE.org and our social media channels.
*Nominations received by March 14 will be mailed the week of March 17. Those received between March 15 – 31 will be mailed the week of April 7. Limit one nomination/school. Nominator must be on the roster of an active AMLE member school to participate.