Alma Bryant High School was named one of Alabama’s eight Banner Schools by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools for its hands-on Agriculture Program. The CLAS Banner School program recognizes school programs that serve as outstanding educational models for other schools in Alabama.
At Bryant, teacher Brian Ladnier and students care for cows and goats, raise hogs to sell, and grow satsuma trees and other plants in a greenhouse.
“Being selected as a winner of the Alabama CLAS School of Distinction banner for our agriculture program is a powerful acknowledgment of the passion, dedication, and forward-thinking work taking place at Alma Bryant daily,” Alma Bryant Principal David Sprinkle said. “This honor reflects the countless hours that our students and Mr. Brian Ladnier invest in hands-on learning, innovative practices, and real-world applications that prepare students for success beyond the classroom.”
Grand Bay Middle and Semmes Elementary also were among 32 schools recognized as Schools of Distinction during the annual CLAS awards luncheon in Prattville. Grand Bay was honored its “Power of ICU” program, which is a system to ensure accountability for school assignments. Principal Dr. Todd Boucher described the program as “Academic Intensive Care,” and said school leaders decided to add the program after receiving requests from parents for improved communication about school work.
Semmes Elementary was recognized for the Eagle Eye Digital Media program, in which students use weekly broadcasts to highlight educational projects and encourage participation in school-wide challenges and campaigns. Students play active roles as hosts, editors, and content creators on the Eagle Eye Broadcast Team to produce the programs. According to Hannah Hindman, Technology Teacher at Semmes, the Eagle Eye program promotes leadership development and fosters a collaborative school culture centered on innovation and academic growth. Semmes Elementary teachers work together to incorporate interdisciplinary projects into the digital media programming.