Montgomery, Ala – May 4, 2020:  CLAS recognized thirty Schools of Distinction across the eight State School Board Districts and announced the 2019 CLAS Banner Schools on Monday, May 4, 2020, during a virtual awards ceremony which was broadcast on WOTM. The CLAS Banner School program was created in 2001 to recognize schools in Alabama that showcase outstanding programs and service to students. Each school was nominated for this award by their superintendent with 189 school programs nominated statewide.

Foley High School of Baldwin County Schools, Gulf Shores High School of Gulf Shores City Schools, Katherine Hankins Middle School of Mobile County Public Schools, and Straughn High School of Covington County Schools were selected as 2019 CLAS Schools of Distinction from State School Board District 1 with Katherine Hankins Middle School named as the 2019 CLAS Banner School.

From State School Board District 2, Horseshoe Bend School and Reeltown Elementary School both from Tallapoosa County Schools were recognized as 2019 CLAS Schools of Distinction with Reeltown Elementary School named as the 2019 CLAS Banner School.

CLAS Schools of Distinction from State School Board District 3 included Charles R. Drew Middle School of Talladega County Schools, Creek View Elementary School of Alabaster City Schools, Lincoln Elementary School of Talladega County Schools, and Lincoln High School of Talladega County Schools with Lincoln High School named as the 2019 CLAS Banner School.

From State School Board District 4, Eastwood Middle School of Tuscaloosa City Schools, STARS/Success Prep of Tuscaloosa City Schools, Walker Elementary School of Tuscaloosa County Schools, and Westlawn Middle School Tuscaloosa City Schools were selected as 2019 CLAS Schools of Distinction with Westlawn Middle School named as the 2019 CLAS Banner School.

From State School Board District 5, Demopolis High School of Demopolis City Schools, Francis Marion School of Perry County Schools, Pike Road High School of Pike Road City Schools and Wilson Elementary School of Montgomery Public Schools were selected as 2019 CLAS Schools of Distinction with Francis Marion School named as the 2019 CLAS Banner School.

CLAS Schools of Distinction from State School Board District 6 included Corley Elementary School of Boaz City Schools, Good Hope High School of Cullman County Schools, Pleasant Valley Elementary School of Calhoun County Schools, and West Elementary School of Cullman City Schools with Pleasant Valley Elementary School named as the 2019 CLAS Banner School.

Florence High School of Florence City Schools, Howell Graves Preschool of Muscle Shoals City Schools, Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Elementary of Tuscaloosa City Schools, and Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools-Middle of Tuscaloosa City Schools were selected as 2019 CLAS Schools of Distinction from State School Board District 7 with Florence High School named as the 2019 CLAS Banner School.

From State School Board District 8, Glencoe Middle School of Etowah County Schools, Liberty Middle School of Madison City Schools, Mill Creek Elementary School of Madison City Schools, and New Century Technology High School of Huntsville City Schools were selected as 2019 CLAS Schools of Distinction with Mill Creek Elementary School named as the 2019 CLAS Banner School.

“Congratulations to these wonderful Alabama public schools which provide excellent examples of the significant learning opportunities taking place in public education in Alabama.  Further, the stakeholders at every school are to be commended for striving for excellence daily,” comments Vic Wilson, Ed.D., executive director of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS).

This program would not be possible without its generous sponsors. LEAN Frog is the program’s Keystone Partner and Foundation Partners are American Fidelity Assurance,Classworks, Curriculum Associates, Edgenuity, and Lathan Associates Architects, P.C. CLAS appreciates its sponsors for the invaluable support of the CLAS 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 eleven 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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