Attorney General Steve Marshall has presented Harriette W. Gwin Elementary School in Hoover, Alabama, with the 2025 Safe School Award. This award highlights schools that have demonstrated effective safety plans and awareness of current trends in school safety.
“Out of more than 1,500 public and private schools in our state, it is an honor to recognize Harriette W. Gwin Elementary School as one of only nine schools selected for an Alabama Safe School Award,” Attorney General Marshall said. “Today we honor their continued and prosperous pursuit to enhance public safety and foster strong, safe, and vibrant community.”
During the presentation, Marshall praised the school’s leadership for improvements made based on feedback from last year’s application process. “Based on feedback from last year’s application, Gwin Elementary’s leadership worked hard to enhance systems and make the school fully align with National Industry Standards. This included implementing a campus-wide Emergency Alert System with accessibility for all personnel and clear authorization for use. Building on last year’s successful campus security plan and proactive Behavior Threat Assessment and Management, Gwin Elementary improved campus wayfinding for routine and emergency response through continuous collaborative training with law enforcement. Gwin Elementary remains committed to preparedness, collaboration, and creating a safe, secure environment for every student and staff member.”
The selection was conducted by a panel of independent judges with expertise in school safety. Schools were evaluated on several criteria: preparation and training protocols; cooperation with local emergency agencies; involvement of resource officers or other security personnel; implementation of safety technology; participation from the community; and educational programs related to law or prevention.
Nine schools received the Safe School Award this year: ACCEL Academy (Mobile), Orange Beach Middle & High School (Orange Beach), Northside High School (Northport), Beauregard Elementary School (Opelika), Allen Thornton Career Technical Center (Killen), Cullman City Primary School (Cullman), Eastwood Elementary School (Decatur), Elvin Hill Elementary School (Columbiana), along with Harriette W. Gwin Elementary School (Hoover). Four additional schools were recognized with letters and certificates for surpassing minimum state standards in student learning, mental health, and safety.
The Alabama Attorney General office serves as the chief law enforcement agency for the state, providing legal representation across all counties while focusing on reducing violent crime and supporting victims (official website). The office also played a significant role during the pandemic response efforts and has contributed to policy changes through its legal work before state courts (official website). Steve Marshall has served as Alabama’s forty-eighth Attorney General since February 10, 2017 (official website).