March 2 is a historic day for the Effingham County School District. We are thrilled to announce that Springfield Elementary and Ebenezer Middle School have been recognized as 2026 "High Flying Schools" at the National Youth Advocacy and Resilience (NYAR) Conference.

During the ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Savannah, Dr. Amy Lingo, Dean of the College of Education at Georgia Southern University, presented the awards to our school leaders. Principal Dr. April Harvey of Springfield Elementary and Principal Katie Whitten of Ebenezer Middle accepted the honors on behalf of their schools, joined by a group of their hardworking teachers and staff members.

The High Flying Schools award is given to schools that achieve academic excellence while serving diverse student populations. These schools are recognized for their "5H" approach, which focuses on the Head (academics), Heart (social skills), Hands (safety), Health, and Home (community).

“This award is a reflection of the daily dedication our staff puts into our mission: making every moment count,” said Superintendent Dr. Ford, who also had the honor of introducing keynote speaker Dr. LaMarr Shields. “Seeing Dr. Harvey, Mrs. Whitten, and their teams recognized on a national stage is a proud moment for our entire county.”