2026 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2024 Annual Conference Washington D.C. 2022 Annual Conference Washington D.C. 2019 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2017 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2015 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2013 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2011 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2025 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2023 Annual Conference Washington D.C. 2021 Virtual Celebrations Zoom 2018 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2016 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2014 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. 2012 Annual Conference Washington, D.C. Past Events Check out our upcoming events View

Forum Board Cathy Tomon President Read Bio Martinrex Kedziora Past President Read Bio Ran Barnes Middle Grades Practitioner Read Bio David McDonald Treasurer Read Bio Joe Coleman Advocacy Chair Read Bio Scott Steele STW State Director Read Bio David Vroman Fidelity Committee Chair Read Bio Ruben Castro Superintendent Read Bio Darryl Conner Middle-Grades Principal Read Bio John Dowd Business Partner Read Bio Lekia Jones Member-at-Large Read Bio Mychael Willon Member-At-Large Read Bio Winton Buddington Member-At-Large Read Bio Cathy Perry Executive Director Read Bio

Ohio Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan | Missouri New Jersey | New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Texas | Utah | Virginia State Director Darla Dunlap Participating Organizations Ohio Department of Education 25 South Front Street, MS 602 Columbus, OH 43215 Phone: (614) 644-6325 Joined National STW Program in 2004 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions Ohio Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Beachwood Middle School (2008) Bellbrook Middle School (2009) Bridgetown Middle School (2006) Chagrin Falls Middle School (2016) Chase STEMM Academy (2019) Cloverleaf Middle School (2020) Crestwood 7-12 Campus (consolidated) (2016) Delta Middle School (2024) George G. Dodge Intermediate School (2018) Goshen Middle School (2017) Kings Junior High School (2016) Mayfield Middle School (2016) Nagel Middle School (2013) Napoleon Central Elementary School (2013) Port Clinton Middle School (2016) R. B. Chamberlin Middle School (2020) Reading Middle School (2013) Teays Valley West Middle School (2009) Van Buren Middle School (2020) Van Wert Middle School (2006) Wadsworth Central Intermediate School (2010)

2023 Kolb Middle School Rialto Unified School District San Bernardino County Armando Urteaga, Principal Enrollment: 900. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Grade-level common preps and minimum-day collaboration time School rebrand: improved appearance, new entry and exit, fine-tuned discipline MTSS/SEL/PBIS for students’ academic, behavioral, SEL needs Interactive monitor and innovative software for each classroom School-wide literacy: PQA, CER, CAASPP word of the month

2023 James Workman Middle School Palm Springs Unified School District Riverside County Victoria Chavez, Principal Enrollment: 1,040. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices School-wide PBIS Tiers II and III referral process Professional learning communities Panorama student groups Instructional rounds

Indiana Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan | Missouri New Jersey | New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Texas | Utah | Virginia State Director Susie Highley IMLEA_ED@iasp.org Participating Organizations Indiana Association of School Principals Indiana Middle Level Education Association 11025 E. 25th Street Indianapolis, IN 46229 317-759-4344 Email: IMLEA_ED@iasp.org State Website: https://imlea.org Joined National STW Program in 2009 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions Indiana Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Benjamin Franklin Middle School (2019) Cascade Middle School (2021) Center for Inquiry School 84 (2018) Christel House Academy South (2011) East Central Middle School (2018) East Washington Middle School (2019) Hazelwood Middle School (2015) Hebron Middle School (2012) Highland Hills Middle School (2015) Lebanon Middle School (2015) Northridge Middle School (2015) Plainfield Community Middle School (2023) Riverside Intermediate School Plymouth (2012) Rochester Middle School (2017) Scribner Middle School (2015) Shelbyville Middle School (2014) South Ripley Jr. High School (2016) Thomas Jefferson Middle School (2011) Triton Central Middle School (2010) Tri-West Middle School (2011)

Winton Buddington Member-At-Large As an educator with 32 years in middle level education, Winton was fortunate to teach social studies, mathematics, science, language arts as well as working as an enrichment specialist prior to spending 18 years as Principal and House Principal at Bay Trail Middle School in Penfield, NY. During his career he served in union leadership roles and as a trainer for various educational programs. Winton proudly celebrated Bay Trail Middle Schools designation as a National School To Watch with his staff, students and community in 2010 and their re-designations in 2013, 2016 and 2019. After retiring in 2022, he serves as the Director of Logistics and School Outreach for Sweethearts and Heroes and remains active as a member of the New York State Middle School Association Board, the New York Essential Elements Schools To Watch Leadership Board, and the National Form to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform Board of Directors. < Back

David McDonald Treasurer Dr. David D. McDonald began his education career in 2001. He has served as a high school social studies teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal for 10 years prior to being named Assistant Superintendent for Middle Schools for the largest school district in South Carolina. In 2013, Dr. McDonald was named S.C. Middle-Level Principal of the Year and in 2017 was named the AMLE Educator of the Year. Well respected in numerous schools and states, Dr. McDonald works tirelessly to support middle-level education. His professional associations include serving as President of the South Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education, Schools to Watch State Co-Director, and as a board member for the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Dr. McDonald earned a Bachelor’s degree from Winthrop University, a Master’s degree from Concordia University, and Educational Specialist and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of South Carolina. < Back

2017-2018 Brookland Middle School 2017-2018 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2011 Re-Designated in 2015 Community Size - Rural School Enrollment - 378 Grade Levels - 5, 6 School Calendar - Block Free and Reduced Lunch 37% English Learners 3% Students With Disabilities 8% Demographics Hispanic 5% White 90% African American 2% Asian 0% Native American 0% Pacific Islander 0% Filipino 0% Two or More 0% Other 3% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence Implementation of “Zero Lab” provides an additional avenue for students to excel. Availability of chromebooks for both fifth and sixth graders are housed in classrooms/ Teachers are trained in a variety of instructional strategies. Building educators provide quality training to their colleagues in their area of expertise. Online resources enhance core instruction for the classroom teacher. Recognized for being in the top 20% of schools in Arkansas on state assessment results; acknowledged by the Office of Educational Performance at the University of Arkansas. Developmental Responsiveness Watch D.O.G.S program provides a way to incorporate parents into the school. Second Chance Breakfast fosters the importance of health and wellness and also ensures the needs of all students are being met. Career Day provides students the opportunity to discover potential occupational choices. Protected Advisory time with the same adult advocate cultivates positive relationships and addresses the need of the “whole child”. Parent Teacher Organization plays a vital role in assisting the school. A well developed transition plan is in place for students both entering and exiting the building planning for student success. Social Equity Weekly Club Day embedded in Master Schedule in which students have a voice in choosing their student-led club. Implementation of quality programs such as Zero Lab, RtI, and Red Wolves Read motivates students and fosters a culture of high expectations. BMS utilizes many community partnerships enhancing opportunities for student success. Differentiated instruction is a common practice in every classroom. Organizational Support Strong Student Council which allows for student voice and choice. A multi-tiered RtI program is in place to support all students. Professional Learning Communities are established by teams and by subject area. The Master Schedule allows for teaming. Central Office Personnel is supportive of the middle school concept and initiatives. Principal is actively involved in promoting middle school concepts through participation in middle level organizations.

2019 National Schools To Watch Conference Featuring Rick Wormeli, Gerry Brooks, and William Martinez June 26-29, 2019 View conference photos

2023 El Rancho Charter School Orange Unified School District Orange County Michele Walker, Principal Enrollment: 1,109. Grade Levels: 7-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices 0-7 period bell schedule with flexible options for families in the school day Twice-weekly, 30-minute tutorial for all students with embedded support Two therapy dogs support students and put smiles on everyone’s faces Psychologist-made wellness center for students to reset/decompress Consistent communication: Social media, weekly newsletter, Google Classroom

2023 Jefferson Middle School San Gabriel Unified School District Los Angeles County Christopher Guyer, Principal Enrollment: 899. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Wellness center with coordinator, MFT interns, workshops, mindfulness LTEL journalists produce school newsletters Electives from mock trial to robotics and music immersion ELA/math co-teaching inclusion for fluid groupings, equity, UDL, JIT supports Student-centered facilities: fitness lab, kitchen, writing center with student fellows