Orange Beach schools are leading the way in student safety, with Orange Beach Elementary School and Orange Beach Middle/High School receiving the top-tier Safe Schools awards, Attorney General Steve …
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Orange Beach schools are leading the way in student safety, with Orange Beach Elementary School and Orange Beach Middle/High School receiving the top-tier Safe Schools awards, Attorney General Steve Marshall announced last week in a news release.
The middle/high school received not one but two honors — a Safe Schools Award, the state's highest recognition for school safety, and a Silver Model of Enhanced School Safety Award for exceeding safety requirements. Meanwhile, the elementary school earned a Bronze Model of Enhanced School Safety Award, highlighting its dedication to fostering a secure and supportive learning environment.
"These awards reflect the dedication and collaborative spirit of our students, educators, staff, and local partners," Superintendent Randy Wilkes said in the release. "Safety is a shared priority, and these recognitions affirm our commitment to protecting our students and providing them with a secure environment to learn and thrive."
The annual awards, part of the Alabama Safe Schools Initiative, spotlight schools that implement exceptional safety measures and innovative programs to ensure a secure learning environment. Winners were selected through a comprehensive four-phase review process conducted by judges with expertise in school safety trends.
"The safety of our schoolchildren is always on the forefront of our minds and hearts. That is why it is important to highlight and promote the innovative efforts to improve student safety through the Alabama Safe Schools Initiative," Marshall said. "These six schools have developed innovative programs and taken practical, effective steps to combat the threat of violence that has become a terrible part of our modern society. Their dedication and resolve to provide a safe environment for learning is an inspiration to us all. I look forward to continuing to spotlight the best school safety ideas for school administrators, resource officers, parents and students."
2024 Safe School award winners:
• Orange Beach Middle & High School, Orange Beach
• UMS-Wright Preparatory School, Mobile
• Ladonia Elementary School, Phenix City
• Russellville Elementary School, Russellville
2024 Silver Model of Enhanced School Safety awards:
• Orange Beach Elementary School, Orange Beach
• Mount Olive Primary School, Fort Mitchell
2024 Bronze Model of Enhanced School Safety awards:
• Lauderdale County Student Success Center, Florence
• Discovery Middle School, Madison
Attorney General Marshall will visit each award-winning school to present their certificates in person and recognize administrators, teachers and staff for their commitment to student safety. Marshall will present the Safe School Award to Orange Beach Middle School on Feb. 5, 2025, at 10 a.m.