Covington Middle School, the building that replaced the tornado-wrecked Crestview campus, just picked up a statewide award.

What happened

At the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) Annual Convention in Nashville this weekend, Tipton County Schools received the 2026 School of the Year for Excellence in Architectural Design for Covington Middle School. The district designed the school in partnership with A2H Engineers, Architects, and Planners.

The Tipton County Board of Education was also recognized as a Board of Distinction.

The district announced both honors Saturday, Nov. 7, on its official X account. TSBA’s awards ceremony and luncheon ran Saturday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

“These recognitions reflect the dedication, vision, and commitment to providing exceptional learning environments for our students and community,” the district wrote.

What the awards are

School of the Year: TSBA gives this award to new schools first occupied within the past three years, in elementary, middle, high school and renovation categories. Judges score entries on cost efficiency, looks, function, flexibility, community use, safety, and how the building fits its site. The plaque goes to both the architect and the local school board.

Board of Distinction: This is a designation a school board earns as a whole by meeting TSBA requirements in four areas: planning, policy, promotion and board development. It lasts two years before a board has to reapply.

Why it matters

The old Crestview Elementary and Middle schools were destroyed by an EF-3 tornado on March 31, 2023. Students spent more than two years in temporary space. The new Covington Elementary and Covington Middle campus, backed by more than $28 million in emergency grant funding according to A2H, held its ribbon-cutting Dec. 16, 2025. Students moved in when classes resumed after winter break in January 2026.

Board Chair Blake Shankle told FOX13 in January that combining the two schools in one building saved money and space. The cafeteria doubles as a storm shelter that can hold about 2,500 people.

Sources: Tipton County Schools on X (Nov. 7, 2026), 2026 TSBA Convention Program, TSBA School of the Year policy, TSBA awards overview, A2H project update, and FOX13 Memphis.

Photo: Tipton County Courthouse, Covington (file photo). Thomas R. Machnitzki / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)