About AMS

About AMS

Our faculty and staff believe:

Here at Ashford Middle School, we believe that each student is an individual with unique learning needs and abilities. Our environment will enable students to achieve their fullest potential. Our school will serve as the center of learning for the entire community. We encourage parents to become involved in the educational process of their children. We believe that communication between parents and teachers is essential. The mindset of each child should be enhanced through their learning environment. It is desired that each student should participate in the decision-making and problem-solving processes that will encourage independent thinking. Our school day will be challenging and rewarding for all students. Each student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and will be taught to be responsible for his or her actions. 

 Ashford’s first school was established in the 1880s (before the railway came through) and was located on the corner of Main Street and Sixth Avenue.  It was under the direction of Professor M. Cherry. The next school, established in the early 1900s, was located on the southeast corner of Adams and 3rd Avenue.  It was under the direction of Professor J.W. Brown.  This school was in the form of a wooden building consisting of four rooms and stood where the school gymnasium is today. 

The original wooden school building was destroyed by fire in 1924, prompting a community effort to construct a more modern facility. From 1924 to 1926, classes were held in various local facilities until a new brick building was completed in 1926. The school continued under the leadership of Professor J. C. Parrish until 1940. Since then, Ashford High School has been led by many respected principals, including H. A. Carlton, George Franklin, W. H. Brown, Wallace Smith, Riley Jo Andrews, Shirley McArdle, and James Odom. During Wallace Smith’s tenure in 1980, the school once again suffered a devastating fire, leaving only the gymnasium and nearby classrooms standing. The school was rebuilt in 1982 and has since undergone numerous additions and renovations.

More recently, Ashford High School completed a building project that added eight classrooms, an on-campus band room, and separate weight room facilities for boys and girls. In 2021, following the reconfiguration of Houston County Schools, Ashford High School and Ashford Middle School became two separate schools while continuing to share the same campus and some faculty members. Mr. Jarod Andrews became the first principal of Ashford Middle School, serving alongside Assistant Principal Stephanie Alexander, whose leadership continues to support the school’s students, faculty, and community.

The campus of Ashford Middle School houses approximately 350 students in grades six through eighth. The students of Ashford Middle School participate in many extracurricular activities, such as football, cheerleading, volleyball, girl's and boy’s basketball, softball, baseball, peer helper, and band. Students are encouraged to join one or more of the many clubs of AMS. Choices include: Junior Civitan, Junior Beta Club, FFA, FCA, First Priority, and Junior Science Club. These clubs promote service to the school and community, and their members participate in many activities and field trips throughout the year.

During the spring Honors’ Day Program, Ashford Middle School students are presented with awards to recognize their success. “A” and “A/B” Honor Roll Students receive certificates and the Accelerated Reader participants receive rewards.