Association for Middle Level Education

The Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE), formerly National Middle School Association (NMSA),^[2] is an international education association dedicated exclusively to the middle level grades. With more than 30,000 members in the United States, Canada, and 46 other countries, AMLE represents principals, teachers, central office personnel, professors, college students, parents, community leaders, and educational consultants.

Association for Middle Level Education

Formation	1973
Type	Nonprofit
Tax ID no.	31-0865702
Headquarters	2550 Corporate Exchange Dr. Suite 324 Columbus, OH, 43231
Region	International
Board Chair	Lisa Harrison
Vice Chair	Erin Scholes
Website	Official website
Formerly called	National Middle School Association (NMSA)
[1]

History

In 1973, the Association for Middle Level Education was founded as National Middle School Association.^[3] AMLE is the only international education association dedicated exclusively to those in the middle grades.^[4]

As of 2023, AMLE has more than 30,000 members across the United States, Canada, and 46 other countries and a network of 58 affiliate organizations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia that serve regional, state, provincial, and local needs.^[4]

Program

AMLE’s Schools of Distinction program recognizes middle grade schools that exceed certain educational criteria. The organization also provides guidance through a "strategic vision setting to help foster ongoing growth and success."^[5]

As of 2023, the program’s evaluation criteria were based on AMLE’s landmark position paper, The Successful Middle School: This We Believe,^[6] which identifies research-based practices for the middle grades.^[5]

AMLE provides professional development, journals, books, research, and other information to assist educators helping them to reach every student, grow professionally, and create great schools. As of August 2022, the organization’s chief executive officer is Stephanie Simpson.^[7][8]