Canton Elementary School STEM Academy, led by Principal Beth Long, has won the 2014 School Bell Award. The award is presented by the Georgia Association of Elementary School Principals to 10 schools in Georgia each year in recognition of outstanding programs in the area of curriculum and organizational leadership.

Canton Elementary School STEM Academy was selected based on its outstanding initiative, Improving School Climate and Communication to Increase Engagement. Canton Elementary School STEM Academy serves a diverse population of learners, 89 percent of whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and 40 percent of whom need English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services. Principal Long collaborated with the Instructional Leadership Team, PTA and the School Advisory Council to develop plans for the initiative that would support three school goals: improve school climate; enhance communication; and encourage community relations.

The results of the initiative have been greater community involvement, improved staff morale and increased student motivation, said Principal Long. Parents and community stakeholders have become more informed about the schools challenges, strengths, needs and successes through this initiative. The school is eager to receive results from standardized tests to determine the impact this program has had on student achievement.