May 6, 2026 — At Hightower Trail Middle School, students are known, supported, and connected, and for nearly 80 military-connected students on campus, that support can make all the difference.
Earlier this week, Hightower Trail was named a 2026 Georgia Military Flagship School, a distinction that recognizes schools committed to serving military families with intention and care. For the staff and students, the honor reflects work that has been part of the school’s culture for years. Military life often brings constant change. On average, active-duty military families move every two to three years—about three times more often than non-military families.
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For students, that can mean adjusting to new schools, new friendships, and new routines again and again, and that's where schools like Hightower Trail step in.
“Frequent transitions require resilience and strength,” Hightower Trail Principal Dr. Hannah Polk said during the award ceremony. “At Hightower Trail, we work every day to ensure our school is a place of consistency, care, and belonging.”
That commitment is visible in both big programs and small, thoughtful actions. From the moment a student enrolls, the school works to identify military-connected families and connect them with resources. This early support helps ease transitions and ensures students feel welcomed from day one. Hightower Trail has built systems designed to support the whole student.
The school offers comprehensive wraparound counseling services for any student with a family member on active duty or affected by deployment. Counselors and teachers are trained to understand the unique challenges military families face, including relocation, deployment cycles, and the emotional impact of those experiences. In fact, every staff member at Hightower Trail receives training on supporting military-connected students. That shared understanding helps create a consistent, supportive environment across classrooms and grade levels.
“This recognition is not just about programs,” school counselor Lara Salzman said. “It is about families who live the reality of service every single day.” Students also have opportunities to explore future pathways connected to service. The counseling department helps connect interested students with military preparation programs, including JROTC opportunities at feeder high schools.
These experiences give students a sense of direction and belonging as they plan for the future. The school also creates meaningful opportunities to honor service and build community. Events like a Veterans Day dinner, recognition programs for local police and fire departments, and schoolwide activities, including a month dedicated to recognizing children of military members. American flag displays across campus serve as daily reminders of respect and appreciation.
When families need extra support, the school steps in. From organizing Thanksgiving baskets to sponsoring families during the holidays, staff members work to ensure no student feels alone. For parents like Meg Franklin, whose husband has served in the Army for more than two decades, those efforts stand out. “When you move around a lot, it means something that people recognize that and have the resources to help,” she said. “It’s a real community.”
That sense of community is especially important during difficult times, such as deployments. For many families, the school becomes a steady source of support when life feels uncertain. Robyn Smith, whose husband is a 25-year Navy veteran, said knowing her child is in a supportive environment brings her peace of mind. “To know that where they’re going to spend their day is a place that recognizes what might be happening—it means more than you can really put into words,” she said.
The Georgia Department of Education’s Military Flagship School award highlights schools that go beyond academics to create meaningful connections for students. Unlike many recognitions, this honor focuses on how students feel when they walk through the door. Rachel LaVoie, Georgia Department of Education military and family specialist, described it simply: “It’s about whether a student who just moved walks in and immediately knows, ‘I’m going to be okay here.’” At Hightower Trail, that sense of belonging is built through strong relationships and intentional care. Hightower Trail’s approach reflects a broader commitment across Cobb Schools.
The district remains focused on meeting the needs of every student, and schools like Hightower Trail show what that looks like in action. As the Military Flagship School banner is displayed on campus, it serves as a reminder of that mission.
