Northridge Middle Earns Cognia STEM Certification

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS) announced Northridge Middle School has earned STEM certification from Cognia for the first time.

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Woodland Forrest Elementary School has also been recertified for its work incorporating science, technology, engineering and mathematics across its curriculum.

The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education recognized both schools during its meeting Tuesday, highlighting the certifications as part of the school system's broader push to expand STEM opportunities for students.

TCS says Northridge Middle began pursuing the certification more than a year ago under former Principal Jami Rainey.

The effort also included Assistant Principal Brooklyn Wood, Ashley Farmer, Lauren Hammonds and Hannah Reed, along with faculty and staff throughout the school.

"We basically realized that Northridge was already doing so much of the amazing work in STEM education that should be highlighted and celebrated," Wood said. "For the past year, we collected data, stories and examples of the incredible work being done within and throughout our school to provide opportunities for advanced learning in science, technology, engineering and math."

TCS pointed out that the school's STEM offerings extend beyond traditional classroom instruction, with students participating in science and math teams that compete at the state and national levels, along with programs such as robotics.

"We at NMS are proud of our students, faculty, community and leaders for creating a culture of innovation," Wood said. "Cognia STEM certification has been an opportunity to highlight and celebrate the amazing work that has been done already here."

School officials said the next step will be incorporating STEM more deeply into Northridge Middle's identity while expanding opportunities to reach more students.

"Moving forward, our goal is to continue to embed the STEM certification as a part of our school identity," Wood said. "Expect the innovation and advancement to continue to emerge from Northridge Middle School in the coming years."

Earning Cognia STEM certification requires schools to spend roughly a year building a portfolio and documenting how STEM practices are incorporated throughout the school.

The process also includes developing a website and interviews with students, parents and teachers.

Woodland Forrest Elementary completed that process for the second time this year after first earning Cognia STEM certification in 2022.

Teacher Grace Williams led Woodland Forrest's recertification effort and told board members the designation reflects work across the school rather than a single program or classroom.

"STEM certification, it's not the STEM lab. It's the entire institution," Williams said. "They're looking for STEM throughout the entire school, in every classroom, in our extracurricular activities."

Williams pointed to robotics, interdisciplinary classroom projects and the school's student media studio as examples.

She also described how one previously quiet student became involved with the media studio and began presenting the school's news.

"He has a reason to be at school on time every day," Williams said. "He comes in and is so excited."

Woodland Forrest says it is already looking ahead to expanding its media studio, incorporating additional technology and developing more nature-based learning opportunities, Williams said.

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