The Georgia Department of Education has selected Frank Long Elementary as one of eight Military Flagship Schools for 2022-23. The Military Flagship School Award recognizes schools going above and beyond to provide a supportive environment for military students and their families. Military Flagship Schools provide specific outreach services to military families and recognize and accommodate their unique needs.

“Here in Georgia, we are committed to supporting our military families and having the most military-friendly schools in the nation,” said state School Superintendent Richard Woods. “The Military Flagship School Award shines a light on those schools that go above and beyond to serve and support military-connected students and their families — I offer each school my sincere thanks and congratulations.”

At Frank Long, the Military Family Life Counselor and school counselor collaborate to support active military families and create a supportive environment for students. They have a Student Ambassador Program which provides peer support to incoming and outgoing military families, and the True Explorers mentorship program pairs students with military veterans as mentors.

The school partners with Hiring Our Heroes, a teacher internship/workforce development program that places highly skilled and educated transitioning service members, veterans, military spouses, and military caregivers with employers committed to hiring them.

Finally, military students are allowed five excused absences for parent reintegration back after a deployment.

“We are so proud of our military students and grateful for their families and their support,” said Frank Long Principal Dr. Debra Sukaratana.

“Military students and families are an integral part of our school district and it is our mission to reach every student,” said Dr. Franklin Perry, superintendent of Liberty County Schools. “We are very proud of the staff and students of Frank Long Elementary and everything they do to help their military students and families.”

The school will receive a special visit from Superintendent Woods, along with other officials and will receive a banner to display advertising their status as a Military Flagship School.