Celebratory graphic announcing that Douglas Middle School has been recertified as an AMLE School of Distinction, recognized in 2022 & 2026, featuring the school mascot, AMLE logos, and the slogan "Everyone Belongs, Everyone Becomes."

Douglas Middle School Earns AMLE School of Distinction Recognition Again in 2026

Douglas Middle

August 17, 2026

Douglas, Wyoming — Monday, August 17, 2026

Converse County School District #1 is proud to announce that the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) has named Douglas Middle School a 2026 AMLE School of Distinction.

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 support continuous improvement. Grounded in AMLE’s foundational position paper, The Successful Middle School: This We Believe, the program evaluates schools on their implementation of research-based practices designed to meet the unique needs of young adolescents.

Douglas Middle School earned this prestigious recognition through a rigorous review process that included a comprehensive school-wide assessment, continuous improvement planning, and stakeholder interviews with staff, students, and families. The evaluation highlighted DMS’s advisory program, collaborative practices, block scheduling, standards-referenced grading, and robust exploratory course offerings as just a few of the school’s standout strengths.

“It is an honor to recognize Douglas 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.”

Douglas Middle School was first recognized as an inaugural AMLE School of Distinction in 2022 and has now earned the distinction again in 2026, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to middle grades best practices and continuous improvement.

As part of the Schools of Distinction network, Douglas Middle School will continue to both contribute to and learn from a community of exemplary middle schools. DMS is featured in AMLE’s searchable online Schools of Distinction database, where schools share promising practices through detailed profiles and videos. The school will also present its work at AMLE26: The 53rd Annual Conference for Middle Level Education, November 4–7 in Nashville, Tennessee.

For more information about the AMLE Schools of Distinction program, visit amle.org/sod.