WESTFIELD TWP. – Cloverleaf Middle School is the only school in Ohio – and one of just 39 schools among the more than 12,000 middle schools in the United States – to be recognized as a 2026 School of Distinction by The Association for Middle Level Education.
The AMLE Schools of Distinction program honors schools that exemplify best practices in middle level education, based on their implementation of a research-based approach tailored to young adolescents. The award follows a rigorous review process – including a comprehensive school-wide assessment, continuous improvement planning, and stakeholder interviews with staff, students and families.
“I am truly honored and humbled to see Cloverleaf Middle School recognized as a School of Distinction,” said CMS Principal Kristina Yako. “This achievement represents the countless moments each day when our staff puts students first, challenges them to grow, and creates a place where they feel supported and valued. I could not be more proud of the relationships we create with our students, families and staff. This recognition is a celebration of what we can accomplish when we work together with a shared commitment to our students.”
AMLE cited these CMS initiatives that make it a School of Distinction:
A master schedule designed for flexibility in meeting student needs
Its team approach to student learning – An organizational strategy in which multiple core-subject teachers share the same group of students, learning area and planning time
Annual community service projects organized by each team
A wide spectrum of special services
An adult advocate for every student with weekly check-ins and support
Its implementation of the “Great Day School” concept, where all staff and students greet one another in shared spaces to support the belief that everyone is valued
A variety of gifted placements and tracks
Counselor-driven student organizations like Hope Squad and Leadership designed to support students
Teacher-driven student leadership organizations including Student Council and Emerald Key
Family education events such as “In Plain Sight” (a program for parents about vaping and substance abuse) and “Screenagers” (a film about the impact of social media on adolescents)
Counselor-led groups focused on absenteeism, course performance, social-emotional needs and more
“Men in the Making” – A monthly group for boys with guest speakers from the community discussing topics such as respect, teamwork and compassion
A “Professional Learning Community” for teachers that supports continual reflection, skill development and collaboration to best support all students
It’s the result of a big-picture approach that focuses on the individual, said eighth-grade science teacher Monica Borsani.
“CMS recognizes that middle school students are not a uniform population. Instead, we consider the individual differences among students, as well as the unique expectations of each grade level,” she said. “Because students learn in different ways, CMS accounts for these differences as they progress through their middle school years.”
And that happens by building relationships, added sixth-grade English Language Arts teacher Laura Becks.
“CMS impacts kids by building a community where relationships come first,” she said. “When students know they are valued and supported, they become more willing to take risks, find their voice and grow – academically and personally.”
Cloverleaf Middle School staff will have the opportunity to share more about the school’s award-winning initiatives in November at AMLE’s annual conference for Middle Level Education in Nashville, Tenn. Additional details about CMS and its School of Distinction award can be found at AMLE.org.
“The Schools of Distinction process has been a great opportunity for us to analyze our practices and showcase the amazing work our staff does for our students,” said Cloverleaf Middle School Assistant Principal Dominic Wilson. “Having an international organization recognize CMS as one of the highest-quality middle schools is an amazing feeling and adds to our story that this school is a great place to be. Thank you to all of the families, local organizations and businesses, and each community within Cloverleaf for the partnerships and support that have been poured back into the school, helping us to best serve kids.”