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Seneca Ridge Middle School

Schools of Distinction Profile

Seneca Ridge Middle School was recognized in 2025 as an AMLE School of Distinction. One of the goals of the program is to foster a network of schools that share promising practices positively impacting young adolescents. The below profile provides highlights a few of Seneca Ridge Middle School’s exemplary practices aligned with the 18 Characteristics of Successful Middle Schools.

Connect with Seneca Ridge Leadership Team

Demographic Information

Location: Sterling, Virginia
School Setting: Suburban
Grade Configuration: 6-8
School Enrollment: 902

Leadership

Nick Cottone: Principal
Alex Jo: Assistant Principal
Dawn Maida: Assistant Principal
Maria Wakefield: Assistant Principal

Key Practices

  • SEL
  • Advisory
  • CORE Champions (Student Leadership)
  • Community Events
  • Clubs and Intramural Sports
  • Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
  • PBIS
  • Interdisciplinary Teams
  • Collaborative Learning Teams
  • Unified Mental Health Team

Highlights of Exemplary Practices Aligned with the 18 Characteristics of Successful Middle Schools

Highlights of Exemplary Practices Aligned with the 18 Characteristics of Successful Middle Schools

Essential Attribute: An Education for Young Adolescents Should Be Responsive

Seneca Ridge Middle School, located in Sterling, Virginia, is a suburban public school established in 1978 as one of Loudoun County’s four original middle schools. As a Title I school (FY24) and home to the third-largest English Learner population among the county’s 35 secondary schools, we also host a comprehensive range of special education programs, including Intellectual Disabilities, Multiple Disabilities, Autism, Emotional Disabilities, Intensive Emotional Disabilities, and Intensive Autism.

Serving 902 students and their families, Seneca Ridge fosters a vibrant, thriving community. Our mission statement reflects our commitment to valuing every individual as a welcomed and contributing member. The diversity of our students and staff enriches our community, creating dynamic learning opportunities made possible through the support of families, the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), business partnerships, and our four feeder elementary schools and cluster high school.

Under the leadership of a collaborative administrative team, Seneca Ridge is dedicated to building teacher leaders and nurturing a growth mindset. We encourage multiple voices and perspectives in shaping instructional practices, focusing on reestablishing high expectations and empowering students to rise to the occasion each day.

Essential Attribute: An Education for Young Adolescents Should Be Equitable

Our staff addresses the needs of diverse learners with an equity-focused approach, recognizing the developmental needs of young adolescents as both learners and individuals. Teachers maintain high expectations and design challenging learning experiences for all students. By fostering growth mindsets and providing appropriate scaffolds, we support students in taking academic risks, creating opportunities for deeper learning.

Essential Attribute: An Education for Young Adolescents Should Be Engaging

Students at Seneca Ridge take active roles in their learning and school community. Teachers create student-centered learning experiences tailored to the diverse backgrounds of our students, carefully selecting materials, resources, and support structures. Guided by the Loudoun County Public Schools Instructional Framework, teachers design engaging instruction that prioritizes high-level thinking, deeper understanding, and differentiated opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning. Content Learning Teams (CLTs) leverage DuFour’s core principles to develop effective, engaging instruction that meets the needs of all learners.