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Huntington Middle named West Virginia’s first Apple Distinguished School
Summary
Huntington Middle School was recognized by the Cabell County Board of Education as the first secondary school in West Virginia to earn Apple Distinguished School status; staff described the application process, teacher-led innovation and upcoming professional development opportunities tied to the designation.
Huntington Middle School was recognized at a Cabell County Board of Education meeting as the first secondary school in West Virginia to be designated an Apple Distinguished School, school leaders told the board.
Dr. Justina White, Huntington Middle School principal, said the honor reflects work by teachers and students across the school. "We wouldn't be there without our teachers and our students," she said, urging the board to see the designation as a reflection of classroom practice rather than a technical label.
Computer science teacher Matthew Coleman, who led the school's application work, described the process: staff documented classroom practice, compiled an application and submitted a video in May. "This recognition is not something that happens by chance. It reflects a deliberate schoolwide commitment to innovation, high quality instruction, and empowering students to learn and create in ways that prepare them for the future," Coleman said. He credited Apple Vanguard trainings, including sessions with Apple representative Patrick Drafton, for demonstrating implementation strategies and inspiring staff to document existing practice.
School staff and students described digital projects used in math, science and language arts, and said the designation gives Huntington Middle access to Apple resources, professional development and a network of peer schools. Dr. White and others told the board the official acceptance date was Oct. 16 and that integration of designation benefits into school professional development is in the early stages.
Board members asked whether other Cabell County schools were pursuing the same recognition; presenters said several elementary schools already hold Apple designations (reported as five to six schools) and that district supports such as Apple coaches and a Vanguard/Innovators group help build local capacity.
The board offered congratulations and the school showed the application video to illustrate classroom examples. Staff said future steps include incorporating designation-related professional development into upcoming school-based PD days.
