Three MNPS middle schools have been recognized by the state of Tennessee for their commitment to excellence in STEM and STEAM education.
DuPont Hadley Middle School and Isaiah T. Creswell Middle School of the Arts earned the STEAM Designation this month from the Tennessee Department of Education and Tennessee STEM Innovation Network, and McMurray Middle School earned the STEM Designation.
Just 11 schools across the state were first-time recipients of one of the designations, which recognize schools for their commitment to equipping students with the essential skills for postsecondary achievement and workforce readiness.
“Each of these schools has embraced STEAM as their ethos, which has allowed them to achieve this designation,” Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle said at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting.
Dr. Battle said Claire Williams McGee, an MNPS lead STEAM coach who was recognized this spring with the 2026 Tennessee Excellence in STEM Leadership Award, had been instrumental in advocating for an inclusive review process that allows more urban public schools to be recognized for their work in STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and STEAM, in which the A stands for arts.
“Claire, thank you for your advocacy for our schools and for the value of STEM and STEAM education,” Dr. Battle said.
DuPont Hadley, I.T. Creswell, and McMurray each underwent a rigorous application process that included a comprehensive self-evaluation, interviews, and site visits. They had to demonstrate excellence across five areas: infrastructure, curriculum and instruction, professional development, achievement, and community and postsecondary partnerships.
Each of the schools has done impressive work in its own way. DuPont Hadley has maintained a commitment to college and career readiness, integration of the arts, and learning experiences that connect students to real-world applications and future careers.
I.T. Creswell has embedded arts into student learning, along with using community partnerships and authentic experiences to develop interdisciplinary opportunities for students.
And McMurray has leaned into its collaboration with the Nashville Zoo and Wildlife Research Scholars, focusing on careers, real-world problems, and a local/global conservation mindset.
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