BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Under the leadership of Principal Tammie Fleming, Bay Minette Middle School has been selected as an Outstanding Making Middle Grades Work School.

This award is based on the success of local school leaders and teachers in improving school practices and raising student achievement. The award was presented by Dave Spence, president of the Southern Regional Education Board, at the 25th Annual HSTW Staff Development Conference in Nashville, Tenn. on July 20.

Spence praised Bay Minette Middle’s teachers, employees and principal for their achievement, pointing out that it takes dedication and hard work on the part of state, district and school leaders and teachers to make progress in preparing students for success in high school, further studies, work and citizenship. He presented the award before an audience of more than 5,000 educators from across the nation attending the HSTW Conference.

Bay Minette Middle was one of only eight MMGW schools in the nation to receive the 2011 Outstanding School Award. To be recognized as an Outstanding MMGW School, a school had to be nominated by the MMGW state coordinator or by an SREB director for a noteworthy accomplishment such as making significant improvements on state assessments, particularly in language arts/reading and mathematics.

“Bay Minette Middle School has shown what can be accomplished to raise student achievement by deeply implementing the Making Middle Grades Work model for strengthening curriculum and instruction,” said SREB Senior Vice President Gene Bottoms. “The school illustrates the spirit of change and the gains in performance that Making Middle Grades Work advocates to get students ready for challenging academic and career/technical courses in high school.”

"We are very proud of Mrs. Fleming and her fine staff for putting Bay Minette Middle and Baldwin County Public Schools on the map for middle school achievement," said Dr. Alan T. Lee, Baldwin County Schools superintendent.

More than 450 middle grades schools in 21 states participate in the MMGW school improvement initiative to create a culture of high expectations and prepare middle grades students for challenging high school courses and productive careers.

SREB, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization based in Atlanta, advises state education leaders on ways to improve education. SREB was created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislatures to help leaders in education and government work cooperatively to advance education and improve the social and economic life of the region. SREB has 16 member states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Each is represented by its governor and four gubernatorial appointees. For more information, visit www.sreb.org.