CLAS Names 2025 Schools of Distinction
Montgomery, Ala – February 23, 2026: The CLAS School of Distinction Award recognizes school programs that serve as outstanding educational models for other schools in Alabama. These exemplary schools/programs will be recognized at an awards luncheon in April. At the awards luncheon, the CLAS Banner School for each district will be named.
State School Board District 1
Agriculture
Alma Bryant High School, Mobile County Schools
Fins Up Culture
Dauphin Junior High School, Enterprise City Schools
Power of ICU
Grand Bay Middle School, Mobile County Schools
Eagle Eye Digital Media
Semmes Elementary School, Mobile County Schools
State School Board District 2
Cow Pals
Houston County Career Academy, Houston County Schools
Book Fairy Challenge: Inspiring Accuracy, Stamina, and Love of Books
Mount Olive Primary School, Russell County Schools
DIG Advisory Period
Opelika High School, Opelika City Schools
Warrior Wellness: Building Resilience, One Student at a Time
Russell County Middle School, Russell County Schools
State School Board District 3
Forged in Gold: The Wolf Trading Card Company
Fayetteville School, Talladega County Schools
Medical Detectives
Helena Middle School, Shelby County Schools
International Coffee Trolley
Meadow View Elementary School, Alabaster City Schools
Extended Time to Level Up
Sylacauga High School, Sylacauga City Schools
State School Board District 4
The Power of Four
Skyland Elementary School, Tuscaloosa City Schools
Blooming in SEL
STARS Academy, Tuscaloosa City Schools
Beyond the Classroom Initiative
Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools – Elementary, Tuscaloosa City Schools
Transforming a School’s Culture through Character Education
Westlawn Middle School, Tuscaloosa City Schools
State School Board District 5
Mad Scientist Hour
George P. Austin Junior High School, Linden City Schools
Cultivate More
Pine Level Elementary School, Autauga County Schools
Milestones and Masterpieces
Robert E. Lee Elementary School, Satsuma City Schools
RADAR Character Initiative
Tuskegee Public School, Macon County Schools
State School Board District 6
Momentum that Matters
Brindlee Mountain Elementary School, Marshall County Schools
ACT Bootcamp
Cherokee County High School, Cherokee County Schools
1936 Club
Cold Springs High School, Cullman County Schools
The House that Character Built: Developing Community with Heart and Service
Lincoln Elementary School, Talladega County Schools
State School Board District 7
Falcon Period
Florence Middle School, Florence City Schools
Read to Right …”Reading Makes Everything Right”
Harlan Elementary School, Florence City Schools
Fast Track Fridays
Hatton Elementary School, Colbert County Schools
PUSH Leadership
L.E. Willson Elementary School, Sheffield City Schools
State School Board District 8
Forging the Future: How the BEAT Center is Revolutionizing CTE
Fort Payne High School, Fort Payne City Schools
Parade of Readers
Hampton Cove Elementary School, Huntsville City Schools
Advisory for the Win: Growing Student Leaders and a Positive School Culture
Mountain Gap Middle School, Huntsville City Schools
Number Ninjas
Roger B. Chaffee Elementary School, Huntsville City Schools
The CLAS Banner School program was created in 2001 to recognize schools in Alabama that showcase outstanding programs and services to students. 189 schools were nominated for this prestigious recognition.
“Congratulations to these exceptional Alabama public schools,” said Dr. Farrell Seymore, executive director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS). “The CLAS Schools of Distinction showcase the powerful and meaningful learning experiences happening in public education throughout our state. I applaud the educators, students, families, and community partners at each recognized school for their steadfast dedication and daily pursuit of excellence.”
This program would not be possible without the generous sponsorship provided by American Fidelity Assurance, Bailey Education, and Ward Scott Morris Architecture, Inc. CLAS appreciates the invaluable support of these sponsors to the Banner School Awards program.
About CLAS: CLAS, the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools was founded in 1969 by a small group of school leaders to provide targeted professional development and support for Alabama’s public school administrators. CLAS now serves thirteen affiliates representing each type of public school/school system leader. CLAS provides the framework to connect dedicated school administrators and other successful leaders with a network for professional growth and support. CLAS is the premier professional learning provider for administrators in public schools in the state of Alabama.
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