The Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch program has officially re-designated both Coastal Middle School and the STEM Academy at Bartlett Middle School as National Forum and Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch for the years 2025-2028. This is the fourth redesignation for Coastal and the second for the STEM Academy. This prestigious recognition highlights each school’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, student support, and a positive learning environment.

The Schools to Watch® program, offered by the National Forum, seeks to identify and honor schools with middle-level grades (enrolling any combination of young adolescents aged 10-15) that are academically excellent, developmentally responsive, socially equitable, organized and structured for continuous improvement, and exemplars of the Schools to Watch criteria. 

Schools that are designated as Schools to Watch participate fully in the Schools to Watch network. They attend and are recognized at the National Schools to Watch Conference in the summer, tour other STWs, and serve as models and mentors by hosting visiting educators who want to see their programs in action.

Being redesignated for the fourth time underscores Coastal Middle School’s dedication to innovation, equity, and fostering a community where every student thrives. Being redesignated for the second time underscores the STEM Academy’s continued persistence in raising the bar at the school. The visiting committee for the redesignation stated that they were extremely impressed with the continued progress of the school in all areas of criteria. 

Congratulations to the students, staff, and families of both schools who make this achievement possible!