State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced today that the Georgia Department of Education has selected 19 schools as 2025–2026 Military Flagship School Award winners.

The Military Flagship School Award recognizes schools that go above and beyond to provide a supportive, welcoming environment for military-connected students and their families. These schools intentionally reach out to military families and work to understand, identify, and accommodate their unique needs.

Two school districts – Berrien County Schools and Chattahoochee County Schools – are being recognized as Military School Districts. This honor signifies that every school within the district has earned the Military Flagship School Award. This achievement highlights the districts' exceptional commitment to supporting military-connected students and families, ensuring that each school fosters a welcoming and supportive environment. By reaching this milestone, these districts show a districtwide commitment to meeting the unique needs of military families and providing them with stability, resources, and opportunities for success.

"Supporting Georgia's military-connected students and families remains a priority for our state," Superintendent Woods said. "These Military Flagship Schools demonstrate an exceptional commitment to serving those who serve our country by ensuring military children feel welcomed, supported, and respected in their school communities. I commend each of this year's honorees for their dedication and leadership."

Schools selected for the Military Flagship School Award demonstrate best practices, including targeted services, personnel training on military needs, and opportunities for military families to connect, ensuring comprehensive support for military students.

The Military Flagship School Award applications were open to all of Georgia's K-12 public schools, and a panel of judges with experience in educating military-connected students evaluated them.

"Having experienced military life as a child and as the mother of three military-connected children, I know how much it means when a school truly understands and supports military families," Rachale LaVoie, GaDOE Military Student and Family Specialist, said. "The Military Flagship School Award honors schools that go the extra mile to make sure every military-connected student feels seen, valued, and supported—no matter where their journey takes them."

Since the inception of Georgia's Military Flagship School Award in the 2018-2019 school year, 88 schools and four districts have been recognized, reflecting a statewide commitment to supporting military-connected students and families through this prestigious honor.

Highlights from the 2025-2026 Military Flagship Schools

Baker Place Elementary School, Columbia County School District
Baker Place Elementary School supports its large military-connected student population with strong academic and wellbeing supports, including two on-site Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs), school counselors, and a social worker. New students are paired with peer ambassadors to help them feel welcome and adjust quickly to their new school. The school also works to keep learning on track by placing students in the right classes based on their previous school experience. Baker Place brings its community together through events such as a Military Appreciation Breakfast, Veterans Day celebrations, and Month of the Military Child activities.

Belair Elementary School, Richmond County School System
Belair Elementary School provides targeted supports for military-connected students, including a dedicated Military Counselor and school counseling team. New students are paired with peer buddies to ease transitions, while the school's House Team system fosters connection, belonging, and community across campus. Belair also engages military families through monthly events, service projects, academic support programs, and targeted outreach to ensure students and families feel welcome, supported, and connected.

Berrien Academy, Berrien County Schools
Berrien Academy supports military-connected students through personalized supports tailored to each student's academic and wellbeing needs, including weekly counseling services and wraparound support through Communities in Schools. The school provides flexible scheduling, dual enrollment, and individualized academic planning to ensure continuity and success during transitions. Berrien Academy fosters a strong sense of belonging through peer mentoring, community partnerships, and schoolwide events that connect students and families to a supportive, close-knit community.

Chattahoochee County Middle School, Chattahoochee County Schools
Chattahoochee County Middle School supports its large military-connected student population through targeted supports, including a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) and a proactive school counseling program. The school provides personalized academic planning, flexible enrollment practices, and leadership opportunities, such as its Junior Leadership program, to support student success during transitions. Chattahoochee County Middle fosters connection and belonging through peer support, family engagement events, and partnerships with local military and community organizations.

Evans Middle School, Columbia County School District
Evans Middle School supports military-connected students through a dedicated military family liaison who provides individualized scheduling, transition support, and ongoing communication with families. The school offers counseling services, academic supports such as free tutoring, and partnerships with Fort Eisenhower to enhance student opportunities and engagement. Evans Middle fosters connection and recognition through events such as a Back-to-School Bash, a Veterans Day assembly, and Month of the Military Child activities, ensuring that military families feel welcome and supported.

Gentian Elementary School, Muscogee County School District
Gentian Elementary School supports military-connected students through a relationship-centered approach, offering counseling services, peer support through a military buddy system, and individualized assistance with enrollment and transitions. The school fosters connection by engaging military families through PTO events, family nights, and regular communication, and by prioritizing the hiring and support of military spouses. Gentian Elementary creates a welcoming environment where military students and families feel known, supported, and connected to the school community.

Grovetown Middle School, Columbia County School District
Grovetown Middle School supports military-connected students through strong academic and counseling supports, including careful course placement, daily access to school counselors, and partnerships with military liaisons. The school provides mentorship and connection through programs such as B.R.I.D.G.E. and its Military Student Support Club, which pairs new students with peers to ease transitions. Grovetown Middle fosters a welcoming environment through family engagement events, recognition activities, and ongoing communication, helping military students and families feel connected and supported.

Harlem High School, Columbia County School District
Harlem High School supports military-connected students through comprehensive academic and wellbeing supports, including individualized counseling, transition assistance, and access to a Licensed Professional Counselor. The school provides flexible academic pathways through Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), dual enrollment, and personalized graduation planning to ensure continuity during transitions. Harlem High fosters connection and belonging through mentorship opportunities, community partnerships, and recognition events honoring military service and supporting military families.

Hightower Trail Middle School, Cobb County School District
Hightower Trail Middle School supports military-connected students through comprehensive counseling services, wraparound supports, and targeted staff training focused on the unique needs of military families. The school promotes future readiness through career exploration opportunities, including Naviance lessons that highlight military pathways and postsecondary options. Hightower Trail fosters connection and recognition through schoolwide events, outreach efforts, and ongoing communication, ensuring military students and families feel supported and valued.

Lake Park Elementary School, Dougherty County School System
Lake Park Elementary School supports military-connected students through a coordinated system of supports, including military liaisons, a dedicated student support team, and strong partnerships with Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany. The school ensures smooth transitions through personalized enrollment support, peer mentoring through its Laker Leader program, and flexible communication options for families during relocation or deployment. Lake Park fosters connection and belonging through family engagement events, community partnerships, and schoolwide recognition efforts that honor military service and support military families.

Langston Road Primary School, Houston County School District
Langston Road Primary School supports military-connected students through a coordinated system of supports, including a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) and a dedicated family engagement team. The school ensures smooth transitions through centralized registration, individualized support, and strong partnerships with Robins Air Force Base and local resources. Langston Road fosters connection and belonging through family engagement events, recognition programs, and ongoing outreach, helping military students and families feel welcomed and supported.

Lee Roy Myers Middle School, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System
Lee Roy Myers Middle School supports military-connected students through targeted supports, including a designated military family point of contact, counseling services, and transition support programs. The school ensures smooth transitions through personalized enrollment assistance, peer mentoring through a military buddy system, and ongoing communication with families. Lee Roy Myers fosters connection and recognition through family engagement events, outreach efforts, and schoolwide activities that honor military service and support military students and families.

Long County High School, Long County School System
Long County High School supports military-connected students through comprehensive academic and wellbeing supports, including a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC), a full counseling team, and transition-focused enrollment services. The school provides strong academic and career pathways through Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), dual enrollment, and personalized academic planning to ensure continuity during transitions. Long County High fosters connection and belonging through student ambassador programs, community partnerships, and recognition events that honor military service and support military families.

McAllister Elementary School, Bryan County Schools
McAllister Elementary School supports military-connected students through a coordinated system of supports, including school counselors, social workers, and partnerships with Military Family Life Counselors (MFLCs). The school ensures smooth transitions through responsive enrollment practices, proactive communication, and coordinated support with district services and military liaisons. McAllister Elementary fosters connection and belonging through family engagement events, schoolwide recognition activities, and community partnerships that honor military service and support military families.

S.L. Mason Elementary School, Valdosta City Schools
S.L. Mason Elementary School supports military-connected students through strong academic and wellbeing supports, including school counselors, a social worker, and close partnerships with Moody Air Force Base. The school ensures smooth transitions through personalized outreach, including direct communication with families, enrollment support, and peer connections through a military buddy system. S.L. Mason fosters connection and belonging through family engagement opportunities, community partnerships, and schoolwide events that honor military service and support military families.

Smiley Elementary School, Long County School System
Smiley Elementary School supports military-connected students through strong academic and wellbeing supports, including a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) and school-based counseling services. The school ensures smooth transitions through flexible enrollment practices, proactive academic planning, and connections to community resources that support student success. Smiley Elementary fosters connection and belonging through family engagement events, partnerships with organizations such as the YMCA, and schoolwide recognition activities that honor military service and support military families.

Sugarmill Elementary School, Camden County Schools
Sugarmill Elementary School supports military-connected students through a coordinated system of supports, including a Military Family Life Counselor (MFLC) and strong partnerships with Kings Bay Naval Base. The school supports smooth transitions through peer mentorship programs such as the Connections Club, responsive enrollment practices, and ongoing collaboration with military liaisons. Sugarmill Elementary fosters connection and belonging through family engagement events, recognition programs, and schoolwide initiatives that honor military service and support military families.

Valdosta High School, Valdosta City Schools
Valdosta High School supports military-connected students through comprehensive academic and wellbeing supports, including a strong counseling program, Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC), and partnerships with Moody Air Force Base. The school ensures smooth transitions through personalized enrollment support, peer connections through its Freedom Cats Club, and access to rigorous academic pathways, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and dual enrollment. Valdosta High fosters connection and belonging through student organizations, family engagement events, and schoolwide recognition efforts that honor military service and support military families.

Veterans Memorial Middle School, Muscogee County School District
Veterans Memorial Middle School supports military-connected students through strong academic and wellbeing supports, including a comprehensive counseling program and close partnerships with Fort Benning. The school helps students transition smoothly through personalized enrollment practices, proactive academic planning, and peer support through its Ranger Ambassador program, which connects new students with student leaders. Veterans Memorial Middle fosters connection and belonging through a school culture that honors military service, along with family engagement events, recognition programs, and ongoing outreach to support military students and families.