Atlanta’s Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy is Georgia’s first all-girls middle and high school to receive STEM certification from its national accrediting agency.

The academy was accredited as a science, technology, engineering and math school by the nonprofit AdvancED, Atlanta Public Schools announced.

The academy is among several Atlanta schools to recently win accreditation in specialized areas.

The official designation comes as APS works to create what it calls “signature programs” in its schools. The programs focus on special academic areas for specific schools and neighborhoods. The idea is to make the academic offerings more rigorous and specialized to prepare students for college or a career.

Other recently recognized APS schools include:

Cleveland Avenue Elementary School: received International STEM certification through AdvancED.

Drew Junior Academy: received STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) certification from the Georgia Department of Education.

M. Agnes Jones Elementary School: received STEAM certification in addition to existing STEM certification.

Therrell High School: authorized in International Baccalaureate career-related program.

Ralph J. Bunche Middle School: authorized for International Baccalaureate.

Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School: authorized for International Baccalaureate.

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