Valley View Middle School Recognized by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) as a 2026 School of Disctinction The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) has announced that Valley View Middle School has been named as a 2026 School of Distinction. One of only 39 exemplary middle schools recognized from across the United States and Canada, Valley View is being honored for their outstanding commitment to young adolescent education and continuous improvement. Each of the Schools of Distinction sets a powerful standard for middle grades best practices, inspiring educators worldwide. Through a rigorous evaluation process that included a school-wide assessment, recipient schools demonstrated excellence in implementing best practices supported by a broad range of stakeholder interviews with staff, students, and families, administration, Board of Education members, and community partners. The AMLE Schools of Distinction program honors schools that embody the principles outlined in The Successful Middle School: This We Believe, AMLE’s landmark position paper (fifth edition, 2021), rooted in over 50 years of middle level education research. “The 2026 Schools of Distinction once again remind us that great middle schools do not happen by accident, they are built through intentional practices, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of young adolescents,” said Chris Woodside, AMLE CEO. “These 39 schools are leading the way in creating learning environments where young adolescents can belong, grow, and thrive. Valley View’s willingness to share what they are learning and doing well strengthens the entire middle level education community." “This award recognizes several years of collaborative work and a shared vision for best supporting the academic, cognitive, social, and emotional development of students,” said Watchung Borough School District Superintendent, Dr. Julie Glazer. The Watchung Borough Board of Education will be honoring the Valley View learning community at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 as part of the ribbon-cutting celebration for the Outdoor Learning Commons referendum project. The public is encouraged to attend and share in recognizing the staff and the continuous improvement efforts to support student success. A team of educators, Principal, Karin Kidd, and Superintendent, Dr. Julie Glazer will be representing their colleagues, students and their families, when they present Valley View’s exemplary practices to educators and school leaders from around the world and are recognized and celebrated at AMLE26: The 53rd Annual Conference for Middle Level Education in Nashville, Tennessee, this November. To learn more about the AMLE Schools of Distinction and The Successful Middle School program, visit amle.org/sod. ### About the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) is the only international organization of its kind for middle school educators. With a community more than 35,000 members, AMLE is committed to helping middle school educators reach every student, grow professionally, and create great schools. To learn more, visit amle.org.