New Hope-Solebury Middle School Named 2026 School Of Distinction

NEW HOPE, PA — New Hope-Solebury (NHS) Middle School has been named a 2026 School of Distinction by the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE). The school is one of just 39 nationwide and only three in Pennsylvania to receive the prestigious recognition.

The AMLE Schools of Distinction program honors schools that exemplify best practices in middle-level education while guiding them through a strategic vision-setting process to drive continuous improvement. Grounded in AMLE's foundational position paper, "The Successful Middle School: This We Believe" (now in its fifth edition and 44th year), the program evaluates schools on their implementation of research-based criteria tailored to young adolescents.

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"It is an honor to recognize New Hope-Solebury Middle School as a 2026 AMLE School of Distinction," said Chris Woodside, CEO of AMLE. "Their dedication to fostering a thriving middle school community sets a powerful example, and we're excited to share their story with educators worldwide."

New Hope-Solebury Middle School earned this prestigious honor through a rigorous review process, including a comprehensive school-wide assessment, continuous improvement planning, and stakeholder interviews with staff, students, and families. The evaluation highlighted school culture, STEAM, exceptional curriculum, and student development among standout strengths.

(New Hope-Solebury School District)

"This recognition reflects more than a single program or accomplishment — it reflects the strong systems, shared goals, and a culture of continuous growth we as a school have built together," said Dr. Erik Pedersen, NHS Middle School principal. "Our staff, students, and families played an important role in this process, sharing their perspectives and experiences to affirm that our practices are truly making a difference. We are proud that the work happening every day in our school community has been recognized in this way."

"This recognition is a reflection of the dedication and vision of our middle school staff and the culture they have created for our Lions, as well as the hard work of our students and support of our entire community," said Dr. Charles Lentz, superintendent of New Hope-Solebury School District. "This honor reinforces what we know to be true: our Lions are learning, growing, and thriving in a school environment built around their success."

As a 2026 School of Distinction, New Hope-Solebury Middle School joins a network of exemplary middle schools featured in AMLE's searchable online database, showcasing their promising practices through detailed profiles and videos. The school will present its achievements live at AMLE26: The 53rd Annual Conference for Middle Level Education in Nashville, TN.