Coastal Middle School Named a 2026 School of Distinction by Association for Middle Level Education
Friday, August 28th, 2026
The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System is thrilled to announce that The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) has announced that Coastal Middle School has been recognized as a 2026 School of Distinction. This is a re-designation, as the school was first recognized with this honor in 2022.
The AMLE Schools of Distinction program honors schools that exemplify best practices in middle level education while guiding them through a strategic vision-setting process to drive continuous improvement. Grounded in AMLE’s foundational position paper, The Successful Middle School: This We Believe (now in its fifth edition and 44th year), the program evaluates schools on their implementation of research-based criteria tailored to young adolescents.
Coastal Middle School earned this prestigious honor through a rigorous review process, including a comprehensive school-wide assessment, continuous improvement planning, and stakeholder interviews with staff, students, and families. The evaluation highlighted Coastal’s inclusive, supportive, and student-centered culture, emphasizing that there is “something for everyone” and that staff meet students where they are while maintaining high expectations and accountability. Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment emerged as a particular area of strength, with students describing their learning experiences as engaging and accessible.
“It is an honor to recognize Coastal Middle School as a 2026 AMLE School of Distinction,” said Chris Woodside, CEO of AMLE. “Their dedication to fostering a thriving middle school community sets a powerful example, and we’re excited to share their story with educators worldwide.”
Coastal Principal Paul Sidney says, “I am deeply grateful and honored that Coastal Middle School has been redesignated as an AMLE School of Distinction. This recognition is a testament to the dedication, passion, and commitment of our entire Seahawk family to creating a school where every student is known, valued, challenged, and supported. Our redesignation reflects the intentional work of our teachers, staff, students, families, and community partners as we continue to strengthen instruction, foster collaboration, and create an environment that is responsive to the unique developmental needs of middle school students. I am honored to serve alongside such an exceptional team and excited for the continued journey ahead as our Seahawks Soar to Success!”
As a 2026 School of Distinction, Coastal Middle School joins a network of exemplary middle schools featured in AMLE’s searchable online database, showcasing their promising practices through detailed profiles and videos. The school will present its achievements live at AMLE26: The 53rd Annual Conference for Middle Level Education in Nashville, TN.
For more information about the AMLE Schools of Distinction program, visit amle.org/sod.
