Perceptions are sometimes fickle things.

Last week, the Leadership Atmore Class of 2017 went through its education session, visiting a number of schools in Atmore.

Here lately, the county school system got a hit when the Alabama Accountability Act labeled Escambia County High School as a failing school. ECHS was one of our stops during the day, and I can tell you, it’s not a failing school in my eyes.

Throughout the day, we visited Escambia County Middle School, A.C. Moore Elementary School, ECHS and Coastal Alabama Community College in Atmore, which was known as Jefferson Davis Community College.

On each stop, we received general information about the school and what sort of programs each is incorporating in the curriculum.

For example, at A.C. Moore, third-grade students are beginning to integrate the Leader in Me program into their everyday school life. The well-known program is one that helps students keep themselves accountable.

Students at ECMS presented our group with their student enrichment program, led by Sara Chavers.

Around mid day, the class made its way over to ECHS, where it was treated to a great lunch from the school’s culinary arts program.

Other areas of ECHS we toured included the new cosmetology building, the ad department and a special performance from the school choir.

To end the day, we went to CACC and learned about the classes that are being offered to students, the college’s nursing program, which is quite extensive, and the school’s welding program.

One thing that was a common element with each school we visited was that every student had a smile on their face.

Whenever we’d unload from the bus — yes, we did travel in a school bus — we’d be welcomed to the respective school by some students.

The class’s perceptions of the schools changed that day, and as we departed back to our normal lives, we all had smiles on our faces because we knew that our schools are in good shape.