The Successful Middle School Grant
A program of the AMLE Foundation Fund
AMLE believes that the true middle school is one that has been planned and organized to address the unique developmental, academic, and cultural needs of young adolescents. This model is articulated in AMLE’s landmark position paper, The Successful Middle School: This We Believe, originally published in 1982 and now in its 5th edition. Our core mission is to help middle level educators actualize the successful middle school in their own communities. The AMLE Foundation supports this mission through The Successful Middle School Grant that provides funding for educators engaged in promising, research-based practices that fulfill one or more of the 18 Characteristics of Successful Middle Schools.
The 18 characteristics are grouped by three overarching categories:
Prior to applying for this grant, we recommend familiarizing yourself with the 18 Characteristics so that you can accurately select one to two corresponding characteristics that your proposal most closely addresses.
AWARD
The AMLE Foundation Fund is looking for projects that are innovative, proliferate the middle school model, and might be able to be replicated by other schools. Interested applicants might look to the AMLE Schools of Distinction or the Successful Middle School Mini PD Library for inspiration. Examples of program topics might include, but are certainly not limited to:
- Innovative middle school scheduling approaches
- An advisory program redesign or expansion
- A novel approach to student voice/leadership
- A program that creatively meets student mental health needs
The recipients of this grant will receive funds up to $5000 to introduce a new initiative or expand/enhance an existing project.
ELIGIBILITY
Any school, staff member, or team that is a member of AMLE as of the application deadline is eligible to apply.
APPLICATION
Applications are due by May 1 each year and should be submitted in completed format. Only fully complete applications will be reviewed by the selection committee.
Applicants will be informed of the committee’s decision by June 15.
GRANT REQUIREMENTS
At the end of the grant year the recipients will be required to submit an evaluation report to AMLE as well as share their initiative, project, or program with AMLE’s broader membership. This can be accomplished through a variety of opportunities, including a presentation at the AMLE Annual Conference, hosting a webinar for AMLE members, contributing an article to the Focus on the Middle member newsletter, and/or contributing a video for AMLE’s Successful Middle School Mini PD Library.
Should the recipients wish to present their initiative at the AMLE Annual Conference, they will receive one complimentary registration to attend the event.
MEET THE 2025 GRANT WINNERS
Prodeo Academy | Columbia Heights, MN
Prodeo Academy’s initiative, “Building a Culture of Belonging and Achievement” will convert the school’s homeroom period into a robust and personalized advisory program. In addition to including dedicated relationship and community building activities, the school will implement a student-centered scheduling tool which allows students to make personalized choices for how to spend the time based on their individual needs. Staff will also be equipped with ongoing training to build their skills as advisors and mentors.
South Allegheny Middle School | McKeesport, PA
The AMLE Foundation Fund has selected South Allegheny Middle School (SAMS) as a 2025 Successful Middle School Grant recipient. South Allegheny’s “Thrive Time: Beyond the Bell – Passion, Play, and Purpose” initiative will integrate mental health support, student agency, and creative expression into the school schedule through makerspace explorations, intramurals, and student-driven clubs and passion projects. The multi-faceted approach combines physical movement, hands-on, project-based opportunities, and student choice to reimagine the middle school experience to embed joy, creativity, and future-ready skill building.
2024 GRANT WINNERS
South View Middle School | Edina, MN
South View Middle School’s Belonging Flex initiative allows every student to engage in club-like experiences, developing rich and meaningful cross grade level relationships within the school day. After selecting a “belonging flex” based on their interests, which range from French Foodies Club to Girls on the Run Club, students meet regularly with their flex over the course of the semester. Belonging Flex serves as an expansion of the work already being done during advisory to help kids make new peer connections and develop strong relationships with staff.
Read a recap of the grant project and outcomes.
West Clermont Middle School | Batavia, OH
West Clermont Middle School’s Innovation and Media Center initiative will provide a dynamic environment dedicated to fostering creativity, collaboration, and future-focused literacy skills through hands-on projects and experiences. The Center will also play a crucial role in supporting the school’s new 15 innovation and design elective courses that are aligned with emerging career pathways and industry demands.