Shaler Area Middle School: Schools to Watch
Great Pennsylvania School Recognition
Best Communities for Music Education
AWARDS
Excelling in Education-
Recognition for our Schools
Shaler Area School District is earning recognition as a leader in education— not just locally, but across the commonwealth and the nation. These honors reflect a community-wide commitment to doing what is best for every student, and a district culture rooted in the belief that when students are supported, challenged, and celebrated, there is no limit to what they can achieve. From our primary schools to the middle school to the high school, the work happening inside our buildings is being seen, validated, and celebrated at the highest levels. This is what it looks like when a district truly strives to engage, empower, and excel.
Shaler Area Middle School: Schools to Watch
Shaler Area Middle School was named to the PA Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools to Watch program, joining an elite list of 39 Pennsylvania middlegrades schools recognized for demonstrating best practices in education. The designation was awarded based on the school’ s Academic Excellence, Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity, and Organizational Structures and Processes— criteria evaluated through a rigorous review that includes classroom observations, interviews, and an examination of student achievement data. This recognition affirms the extraordinary work taking place at SAMS to support academic growth, socialemotional development, and the unique needs of adolescent learners, positioning the school as a model for districts across Pennsylvania.
Great Pennsylvania School Recognition
Shaler Area School District was officially recognized as a Great Pennsylvania School by the Pennsylvania School Boards Association( PSBA) in partnership with Great PA Schools— a distinction reserved for districts that demonstrate outstanding commitment to student achievement, effective governance, and strong community engagement. The recognition reflects not only the academic outcomes students are reaching, but the culture, leadership, and collaborative spirit that make those outcomes possible. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Shaler Area’ s students, staff, families, and board members, whose collective efforts have shaped a district worthy of statewide recognition.
Best Communities for Music Education
Shaler Area School District was honored with the Best Communities for Music Education( BCME) Award from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding support and commitment to music education. This is the ninth time Shaler Area has received the award, a remarkable milestone that speaks to the district’ s enduring dedication to arts programming. We are proud to offer a comprehensive music program spanning grades K – 12, with access to general music instruction, chorus, band, orchestra, and specialized ensembles, proving that the performing arts community continues to be a celebrated and defining part of the Shaler Area experience.
26 | Shaler Area School District