February 27, 2026
By MEALAND RAGLAND-HUDGINS
Rutherford County Schools
Smyrna Middle School was recently recognized as a School of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE).
AMLE is an international organization that focuses its research, best practices and professional development for middle school educators.
Led by Principal Dr. Takisha Ferguson and Assistants Principals Matt Brewer, Wayne Coward and Lindsey Mears, Smyrna Middle is Tennessee’s first public school to attain the School of Distinction designation.
The school was recognized at AMLE’s annual conference in November and the Smyrna Middle team served as presenters. One of the organization’s goals is to build a network of schools with practices aligned with the 18 Characteristics of Successful Middle Schools.
AMLE noted Smyrna Middle’s focus in four areas: providing a challenging academic environment, internal structures such as master scheduling, ongoing review of testing data with instructional coaches, and the use of standards-aligned grading, which helps staff identify exactly where students are struggling.
Principal Ferguson credited the school’s students and staff “for seeking the best version of themselves” on a daily basis.
“We were awarded AMLE’s School of Distinction because of the collaboration among staff, the responsiveness as a school administrative team, and the persistence of the student body to be better than they were yesterday that resulted in consistent growth scores over the years,” she said. “I am one proud principal that still enjoys sporting the hashtag #PantherPride!”
Smyrna Middle has been recognized as a Level 5 school by the Tennessee Department of Education for student academic growth – the highest ranking possible – four of the last five years.