Two FBISD Middle Schools Earn Jostens Renaissance Schools of Distinction Honors

FORT BEND ISD (June 16, 2026) -  Two Fort Bend ISD middle schools have earned national recognition for the work they are doing to build strong campus cultures and create meaningful experiences for students and staff. 

First Colony Middle School was named a 2026 Jostens Renaissance Silver School of Distinction, and Sartartia Middle School was named a 2026 Jostens Renaissance Platinum School of Distinction. Platinum is the highest level available to eligible returning Schools of Distinction. 

The Jostens Renaissance School of Distinction recognition celebrates schools making a positive impact on school climate and culture. For First Colony MS and Sartartia MS, the honor reflects the daily work happening on campus to help students feel connected, encouraged and proud of their school community. 

At First Colony Middle School, the Silver recognition grew from a campuswide effort led by sixth grade counselor Dawne Sanders, faculty mentors and student leaders. The team focused on building relationships, recognizing students and staff, and bringing more joy into the school day. 

“The goal of our Renaissance Mentors and Leaders was to provide opportunities for genuine connections, while making our school a safe place for Bobcats to become the best version of themselves,” Sanders said. 

Through Bobcat Time lessons, monthly culture challenges and student led activities, First Colony focused on kindness, belonging, school pride and student voice. Campuswide efforts included SMILE Week, Unity Day, Hello Week, Spread the Love lessons focused on kindness and acceptance, High-5 Fridays and Bobby the Bobcat on the Shelf, a weeklong search for a small stuffed bobcat hidden around the building before winter break. 

The activities helped create fun and meaningful moments for students while strengthening a culture centered on collaboration, respect and belonging. Student leaders helped brainstorm ideas, plan activities and create experiences for their peers. 

“Student voices were heard and valued,” Sanders said. “We saw and felt a shift in attitudes, smiles on faces and fun was had within the building.” 

For First Colony, earning Silver recognition is a major milestone. Sanders said the campus is proud of what students helped accomplish and is already looking ahead to Gold recognition next school year. 

“We are extremely proud of our Bobcats and now everyone can see how amazing they are,” Sanders said. 

At Sartartia Middle School, the Platinum recognition reflects years of intentional work. The campus was previously named a Platinum School of Distinction in 2024, earned Gold recognition in 2025 and returned to Platinum status in 2026. 

Principal Cholly Oglesby said the continued recognition reflects a culture Sartartia has worked to build over time. 

“Being recognized as a Jostens Renaissance School of Distinction for multiple years is an incredible honor because it validates something we have intentionally worked to build at Sartartia Middle School, a culture where every student feels seen, loved, and valued,” Oglesby said. 

At Sartartia, the work started with staff creating opportunities to recognize students, build school pride and establish traditions. Over time, students became a bigger part of the work. Today, Sartartia students help plan events, lead service projects and create opportunities for their classmates to feel connected to the campus. 

One of the school’s most meaningful traditions is the Back-to-School ROAR Rally, held during the first week of school. The rally helps students, especially incoming sixth graders, feel welcomed and excited about being part of Sartartia. The campus also created the Legacy Tile Project, which gives every eighth-grade student the opportunity to design and paint a ceiling tile before moving on to high school. The tiles become a permanent part of the campus and remind students that they will always be part of Sartartia’s story. 

Sartartia’s culture work also shows up in measurable ways. According to the campus’s 2026 Jostens Renaissance application, Sartartia had a 96.94 percent attendance rate as of April 2026, and about 58 percent of students participate in at least one formal extracurricular club or activity, not including athletics or fine arts. 

“This recognition belongs to our entire school community,” Oglesby said. “It reflects the dedication of our teachers, counselors, office staff, custodians, paraprofessionals, administrators, students, and families who work together every day to create a positive and supportive environment for students.” 

Sartartia’s work also connects to its role as a Leadership and Civic Engagement campus in FBISD. The values behind the school’s Renaissance work, including belonging, leadership, service, relationships and school pride, are also part of the campus’s focus on preparing students to lead and serve others. 

Together, First Colony  and Sartartia middle schools show how strong school culture can look different from campus to campus. At First Colony, students helped bring new energy to schoolwide culture efforts. At Sartartia, years of intentional work have grown into a student-led culture centered on leadership, service and pride. 

Their national recognition is a celebration of two FBISD campuses and a reflection of the work happening across the district to help students feel supported, celebrated and proud of their schools.