Stratford Academy has received the 2025–2026 Dr. Michael Drake Athletic Excellence Award, one of the Georgia Independent Athletic Association’s highest honors.

Commonly known as the Dr. Michael Drake Award, the recognition celebrates the strength and competitive success of an athletic program as a whole rather than the accomplishments of a single team. Schools earn points based on their teams’ finishes in state competition, with the highest-scoring program in each classification receiving the award.

The recognition reflects strong performances across Stratford Athletics throughout the 2025–2026 school year. The Eagles captured state championships in football, girls soccer, and girls track and earned state runner-up finishes in baseball and girls basketball.

Sixteen Stratford varsity programs contributed to the school’s overall point total: football, softball, volleyball, girls cross country, wrestling, girls and boys basketball, bass fishing, baseball, lacrosse, girls and boys soccer, girls and boys tennis, girls track, and boys golf.

Stratford became the first recipient of the award in the GISA AAA classification when it was established in 2002. The Eagles have now earned the honor six times, receiving the award in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2014, and 2026. Stratford competed in the Georgia High School Association from 2015 through 2022 and was not eligible for the GIAA award during those years.

The recognition reflects an important strength of the Stratford athletic experience: students are encouraged to explore their abilities and interests through participation in multiple sports. Their willingness to compete, contribute, and support one another strengthens both their individual teams and Stratford’s athletic program as a whole.

More than the result of one season or the success of one team, the Dr. Michael Drake Award reflects the commitment of Stratford’s student-athletes, coaches, families, and supporters and the pursuit of excellence that has long defined the Eagles.