2023 Hollencrest Middle School West Covina Unified School District Los Angeles County Katrina Garcia, Principal Enrollment: 668. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Capturing kids’ hearts daily practices Weekly student SEL check-ins School-wide implementation of WICOR strategies Weekly teacher collaboration Student achievement programs and accolades

Mychael Willon Member-At-Large Mychael has had a keen interest in middle schools since serving as an interim principal, while serving as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Focusing on teaching and learning and the unique challenges our middle schoolers face, has been a passion of his since that experience. Mychael is also the President-Elect of the Virginia Middle School Association. < Back

2015-2016 Crossett Middle School 2015-2016 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in - 2013 Re-Designated in- 2016 Community Size - Rural Community of 5,504 School Enrollment - 535 Grade Levels - 5,6,7,8 School Calendar - A/B Block Free and Reduced Lunch - 22.32% English Learners 1.87% Students With Disabilities 3.23% Demographics Hispanic 2.46% White 59.33% African American 37.13 % Asian .37% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence Teachers meet in grade level teams every day to design a curriculum that includes cross-curricular, research-based project evaluations, use of interactive technology, and differentiation strategies. Professional Learning Communities meet once a week to participate in job-embedded professional development, and student achievement. CMS teachers provide guidance, connectedness, and support in the areas of academics to students through an Advisory period each day. Teachers use the co-teaching model to tailor a personalized environment for students to increase their use of higher order thinking skills. Students participate in cross-curricular project-based assessments to increase 21st Century Skills and higher order thinking. 5t h Graders not completing work must report to Intensive Care Unit to complete all assignments. Project Lead the Way was implemented in Grade 5t h-7t h to provide students opportunities to learning critic thinking and begin to explore career paths involving Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Developmental Responsiveness Classroom environments support the needs of all students. Positive rapport exists between students and teachers. Students have a voice and participate through a leadership group in making decisions that affect them. Town Hall meetings are held once every nine weeks to celebrate academic, social, and community achievements. Social Equity The school supports civility, service and citizenship. Differentiated instruction strategies are used to address various student learning styles. Students are respected and appreciated by staff and each other. An abundance of club activities and school connection opportunities are available to students. The school continually seeks to improve methods for meeting the needs of all students. Staff members have high expectation for students as evidenced by work displays and student performances CMS partners with the community to set examples of determination, perseverance, commitment, kindness, and acceptance of others through the Kindness program. Organizational Support The principal empowers staff by providing opportunities for collaborative problem-solving and decision making. Flexibility within the block schedule provides for meeting the needs of students. Families, community members and business partners are involved in many facets of the school. Teaming periods allow teachers to meet and collaborate with parents, students, and team teachers. Students are assigned to Advisory classes to meet the developmental needs of adolescents.

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

2023 Alta Loma Junior High School Alta Loma School District San Bernardino Andrew Carter, Principal Enrollment: 641. Grade Levels: 7-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Rotating schedule means students experience each class at different times of day Administrators greet students from open gates until school bell rings for rapport building PBIS tickets from staff to students can be used to earn items Students can request administrator appointments in-person or online Teachers alternate between assembly duty/team planning meetings during assemblies

Jonathan Rohloff Superintendent < Back

2018 National Schools To Watch Conference Featuring Meg Orminston, Jack Berckemeyer, and Rick Wormeli June 27-30, 2018 View conference photos

2023 Prairie Vista Middle School Hawthorne School District Los Angeles County Wendy Ostensen, Principal Enrollment: 753. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Fine arts academy Professional learning communities MTSS staff training on student needs Family engagement through workshops, meetings, and curriculum/instruction nights School climate boosted by arts, clubs, leadership, and collaborative activities

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2023 Coalinga Middle School Coalinga-Huron Unified School District Fresno County Steven Martinez, Principal Enrollment: 697. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Advisory period Spreadsheet to track grades/assignments Teachers who want to run lunch sessions Upkeep of the spreadsheet Constant communication with students and teachers

Martinrex Kedziora Past President Originally, from Memphis, TN, Dr. Martinrex Kedziora has been a middle school teacher, special education coordinator, K-8 Principal and Professional Development Director during his 30-year career. He serves as Chairman of the California League of Educators. As an Education Faculty member for National and Brandman Universities. He serves as a team member of CLE for the California Department of Education and the Middle Schools Alliance. He is a committee member of the Urban Education Committee for ACSA. He is the Chair of the Advocacy Committee for the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades, Vice President of the Moreno Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and on the advisory board for the Schools First Federal Credit Union. < Back

Become a member of the National Forum. Available to all Schools to Watch and potential STWs. 2023 Schools to Watch New Schools to Watch Share the Press Release Arkansas Alma Middle School Indiana Plainfield Community Middle School Thomas Jefferson Middle School North Carolina Smithfield Middle School New York Cuba-Rushford Middle School Marlboro Middle School Wantagh Middle School Pennsylvania Chartiers Valley Middle School Deer Lakes Middle School Wendover Middle School South Carolina Blue Ridge Middle School Carolina Springs Middle School Leavelle McCampbell Middle School North Central Middle School Texas Lincoln Middle School Marshall Kendrick Middle School Salvador H. Sanchez Middle School Virginia Brambleton Middle School Willard Middle School California Adams Middle School Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory Alta Loma Junior High School Amino Florence-Firestone Middle School Bernice Harrell Chipman Junior High Coalinga Middle School College Preparatory Middle School Don Juan Avila Middle School E.O. Green Jr. High School East Avenue Middle School El Rancho Charter School Ellen Fletcher Middle School Hollencrest Middle School Hosler Middle School ICEF Vista Middle Academy James Workman Middle School Jefferson Middle School Kolb Middle School March Middle School Melva Davis Academy of Excellence Nellie Coffman Middle School Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County Palm Desert Charter Middle Pleasant View West School Portola Middle School Prairie Vista Middle School Riverview School Robert C. Fisler School Shoreline Middle School The STEAM Academy @ Burke Thomas Law Reed School Vineyard Junior High School Vista View Middle School William Mendenhall Middle School Yorba Middle School Redesignating Schools to Watch Arkansas Cabot Middle School North - R5 Greenbrier Middle School - R2 Holt Middle School - R2 J.O. Kelly Middle School - R4 Woodland Junior High School - R2 C olorado Centennial Middle School - R2 Corwin International Magnet School - R3 Westview Middle School - R2 Georgia Lee Middle School - R3 Upson-Lee Middle School - R6 Illinois Century Junior High - R1 Evergreen Academy Middle School - R4 Hadley Junior High - R1 Libby Elementary and Middle School - R4 Little Village Academy - R4 London Middle School - R4 Westmont Junior High - R1 Indiana Ben Franklin Middle School - R1 IPS Center for Inquiry 84 - R1 Northridge Middle School - R2 Rochester Middle School - R3 Tri-West Middle School - R5 Kentucky Mayfield Middle School - R2 Olmstead School - R6 North Carolina Carmel Middle School - R6 Harold E. Winkler Middle School - R1 Hendersonville Middle School - R4 Jay M. Robinson Middle School - R6 Piedmont Open IB Middle School - R4 Rogers-Herr Middle School - R5 West Pine Middle School - R5 New Jersey Belhaven Middle School - R3 Black River Middle School - R4 Byram Middle School - R1 Randolph Middle School - R1 New York A.D. Oliver Middle School - R1 Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School - R4 Cosgrove Middle School - R2 Garden City Middle School - R4 Island Trees Memorial Middle School - R1 Jonas E. Salk Middle School - R1 Memorial Junior High School - R2 Plainedge Middle School - R1 Ohio Bellbrook Middle School - R3 George G. Dodge Intermediate School - R1 Pennsylv ania Boyce Middle School - R5 Fort Couch Middle School - R5 Garnet Valley Middle Sch ool - R2 Northley Middle School - R3 Ryan Gloyer Middle School - R4 Schuylkill Valley Middle School - R3 Springton Lake Middle School - R2 California Alondra Middle School - R3 Alta Sierra Intermediate School - R5 Alvarado Intermediate School - R6 Arlie F. Hutchinson Middle School - R1 Carmenita Middle School - R3 Chaparral Middle School - R2 Clifton Middle School - R2 Creekview Ranch School K-8 - R1 Dartmouth Middle School - R4 El Segundo Middle School - R1 Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School - R3 General Grant Middle School - R1 Hall Middle School - R1 Haskell STEM Academy - R2 Hawthorne Middle School - R2 Heber School - R3 Huron Middle School - R2 John F. Kennedy Middle School - R6 Kastner Intermediate School - R5 La Canada Middle School (7-12) - R3 La Paz Intermediate School - R4 Landmark Middle School - R2 Leona Jackson Middle School - R3 Los Alisos STEM Magnet Middle School - R1 Louis D. Armstrong Middle School - R5 Mountain View Middle School (Beaumont) - R1 Rancho Milpitas Middle School - R6 Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate School - R2 Ray Wiltsey Middle School - R1 Ross Academy of Creative and Media Arts - R2 San Gorgonio Middle School - R2 Silverado Middle School - R6 South Pointe Middle School - R2 Sunnymead Middle School - R2 Suzanne Middle School - R2 Tetzlaff Accelerated Learning Academy - R3 Thomas Hart Middle School - R1 Torch Middle School - R3 Twin Rivers Charter School - R1 Vista Verde Middle School - R4 Washington Academic Middle School - R4 South Carolina Batesburg-Leesville Middle School - R1 Beck International Academy - R1 Blythewood Middle School - R5 Campobello Gramling School - R3 Castle Heights Middle School - R4 Chapin Middle - R2 Crayton Middle School - R2 H.E. McCracken Middle School - R2 League Academy for Communication Arts - R4 Mid-Carolina Middle School - R2 Muller Road Middle - R1 Palmetto Middle School - R5 Riverside Middle School - R1 Sevier Middle School - R1 Texas Atlanta Middle School - R1 Beverly Hills Intermediate School - R3 Colleyville Middle School - R1 Ft. Settlement Middle School - R1 Haltom Middle School - R1 Harwood Junior High School - R2 Lone Oak Middle School - R4 Melillo Middle School - R2 Ricardo Estrada Middle School - R1 Roberts Middle School - R1 Rogers Middle School - R1 Sharyland North Junior High School - R2 Utah Kearns Junior High - R4 Milford High School - R1 Virgi nia Eagle Ridgle Middle School - R5 Elizabeth Davis Middle School - R1 Elkton Middle School - R2 Farmwell Station Middle School - R5 Harper Park Middle School - R4 Hidden Valley Middle School - R4 J. Lupton Simpson Middle School - R2 Midlothian Middle School - R2 Montevideo Middle School - R2 River Bend Middle School - R4 St. Clare-Walker Middle School - R4 Sterling Middle School - R3 Tomahawk Creek Middle School - R2 Become a STW Mission The mission of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform is to unite key stakeholders to speak with a common voice to leverage research, policy, leadership, and replicable practices to drive middle grades reform. Vision In order to prepare students to be lifelong learners ready for college, career, and citizenship, the National Forum seeks to make every middle-grades school academically excellent, responsive to the developmental needs and interests of young adolescents, and socially equitable. Membership The National Forum Membership is open to individuals and individuals approved by an organization. Three membership levels are offered with benefits, responsibilities and annual dues for each level. Join Today! Frequently asked questions What types of membership are available? There are three types of membership: • Advocating Member (Individual) : $39 • Contributing Member (Individual) : $69 • Institutional Member (School) : $99/year or $275/3-years What is the renewal schedule for Memberships? Membership renewals occur on the date of the initial enrollment. For Institutional Memberships, schools have the option of selecting a one-year ($99) or a three-year ($275) Institutional Membership. What is Institutional Membership in the National Forum? Institutional Membership with the Forum is a whole-school designation available to schools that believe in and support the mission and vision of the Forum and that include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Why must a school have one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 to apply for Institutional Membership? Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 comprise the middle grades, and the vast majority of young adolescents (those students aged 10-15) are in these grades. Since the middle grades and young adolescents are the foci of the Forum’s work, it made sense that the Forum should limit (at least initially) Institutional Membership to those schools with one or more of the middle grades. Can schools that are not Schools to Watch be granted Institutional Membership? Yes, but they must believe in and support the Mission and Vision of the Forum and include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Can schools that are not eligible to be designated as Schools to Watch be granted Institutional Membership? Yes, but they must believe in and support the Mission and Vision of the Forum and include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. How is the Forum’s Institutional Membership different from its other memberships? Institutional Membership differs in several ways from currently existing memberships (Contributing Memberships and Advocating Memberships): • First, Institutional Membership is a whole-school membership while the Forum’s two other memberships are for individuals only. • Second, the Institutional Membership targets schools that believe in the Forum’s Mission and Vision and have one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9; Contributing and Advocating Memberships are for individuals who may or may not be in a School to Watch but who wish to be more active and involved in the Forum’s effort to “accelerate middle grades reform”. • Third, the Institutional Membership category provides the Forum with a mechanism to engage and communicate with a broader constituency of middle-level practitioners (nationally and internationally) than do the existing membership classifications. What are the benefits of being an Institutional Member? The benefits of being an Institutional Member include: • The personal satisfaction of supporting the Forum in its efforts to speak with a common voice to leverage research, policy, leadership, and replicable practices to drive middle grades reform (being part of a “movement”) • Opportunities to give back to the profession (paying it forward) • Periodic reports on Forum projects to accelerate middle-grades reform • Special rates for Forum-sponsored activities • Access to all Forum publications, reports, and white papers • Access to a national network of middle-level schools that shares a common philosophy, mission, and vision. Is it possible for one person to have both a Contributing Membership and an Institutional Membership? Technically no, since Institutional Membership is available only to an eligible school and not to an individual. That being said, a person could be both a Contributing Member and a member of a school with an Institutional Membership. Must a School to Watch become an Institutional Member? Not at this time, but given the benefits of membership it is highly recommended that every School to Watch be an Institutional Member of the Forum. Can other than public schools be Institutional Members? Yes, as long as they believe in and support the Mission and Vision of the Forum and that include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Can an organization other than a school (e.g., philanthropic organization and state organization) have an Institutional Membership? No. Institutional Memberships are only for schools that believe in and support the Mission and Vision of the Forum and include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Become a member today! Join