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

2016-2017 Old High Middle School 2016-2017 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2017 Enrollment - 622 Grade Levels - 5-6 School Schedule - CORE/ENCORE/PE 4 LIFE Free/Reduced Lunch- 26% English Learners- 1.9% Demographics Hispanic 7.7% White 85.12% African American 3.1% Asian 2.1% Native American 1.8% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence Old High Middle School (OHMS) challenges all students to meet high academic standards. Academic excellence is expected of all students through a flexible yet systematic approach based on a faculty-created core belief statement. OHMS promotes lifelong learning through a culture of high expectations with purposeful and engaging instruction. This core belief is infused through curriculum, instruction, assessment, and intervention. The common belief that all students can learn and achieve is the foundation for relationships at OHMS while also guiding what happens each day in response to students’ needs and learning goals. This belief is evident in our flexible master schedule, student-centered opportunities to explore interests and master Old High Middle School Designated 2017 Old High Middle School - Bentonville Schools Benton County - Jeff Wasem, Principal 406 NW 2nd Street, Bentonville, Arkansas 72712 Tel: (479) 254-5440 Fax: (479) 271-1111 Webpage: bentonvillek12.org Twitter: @OLDHIGHMS Instagram: OLDHIGHMS 2016-2017 School Statistics (Sources: 2016 ESEA Report) Enrollment: 622 Grade Levels: 5-6 School Schedule: CORE/ENCORE/PE 4 LIFE Student Demographics • 7.7% Hispanic • 85.2% White • 3.1% African American • 2.1% Asian • 1.8% Native American • 26% Free/Reduced Lunch • 1.9% English Learners (Visit ade.gov to view this school’s data for prior years.) SCHOOLS TO WATCH – ARKANSAS DIAMOND SCHOOL OLD HIGH MIDDLE SCHOOL PROFILE challenging content, consistent and engaging instruction and feedback, and support and relationships among teachers, administration, and staff. OHMS has core content team that meet weekly. Each team works together to integrate curriculum by creating and implementing Project Based Learning (PBL) practices. Students research content-related subject, topics of interest, and develop community-based plans to improve the world around them. Community partners, such as Crystal Bridges, help students explore personal interests to drive their learning and create authentic engagement. OHMS uses a variety of instructional strategies to engage and challenge students. The teacher serves as a facilitator for all learners. Many teachers use the instructional tool of Socratic Circles to facilitate deeper analysis and to encourage students to listen and speak critically about content. OHMS faculty experienced this strategy first-hand through teacher-led professional development. Teachers expect students to develop goals, work in cooperative groups, utilize research tools, listen and discuss learning concepts, evaluate information, and create projects and presentations. For example, a core team is helping students recognize real-world problems and encouraging students to identify a cause to address the problem. Another team is collaborating on a theme-based unit focused on exploration of the New World. Each teacher focuses on content that relates to this theme. Science addresses the cause/effect relationship with new species and diseases. Math students analyze statistical data about the time period. Core teachers are also integrating the use of an organizational writing method called C.E.R. that focuses on creating a claim, providing evidence, and reasoning that explains how the evidence points back to the claim. This tool is used in core subject areas across the disciplines. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are vertically and horizontally aligned subject area teachers. PLCs work alongside content facilitators to identify standards that will guide formative and summative assessments, and rubric development for standards based grading. Rubrics are designed by a team of content teachers, including special education and acceleration teachers (interventionists) with the support of academic facilitators. Rubrics provide clarity of the content and expectation of what it means to meet the standard. To ensure high expectations, content-specific rubrics include exemplars of each level of performance. Students practice comparing their work to the exemplars and analyze how they can meet the expectation on each component within the rubric. For example, students read samples of responses explaining that matter still exists even though it may not be seen. They use the rubric to evaluate the written response by giving constructive feedback. In literacy, students evaluate the effectiveness of a claim using the rubric. Teacher and peer feedback, along with the rubric, guide student learning and provide direction on how to meet or exceed learning expectations. Developmental Responsiveness Old High faculty has developed a set of Core Beliefs to keep the staff and students focused on the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence. These Core Beliefs guide the staff on a developmentally responsive commitment to young adolescents from the way our teams are structured to the unique opportunities offered at OHMS. In doing so, students and core teachers are grouped into small learning communities called teams. Having students on teams allows them to feel a sense of belonging within the larger learning community of Old High and allows the students to build authentic relationships with one another. OHMS consists of 6 cross-curricular teams with a maximum of 112 students on each team. Each crosscurricular team is split into four homerooms where the homeroom teacher serves as the primary advisor. As an advisor, the homeroom teacher is responsible for establishing a positive rapport with his/her students and families. The team meets weekly to not only discuss student academic needs, but also social and emotional needs. This time allows for the team to function as a cross-curricular Professional Learning Community (PLC). Teachers also benefit from being grouped in content-specific PLCs. This allows time for conversation to ensure developmentally appropriate instruction is being delivered so that students’ intellectual needs are being met. Ensuring that each student has a homeroom teacher who acts as a mentor/advisor is important to the Old High staff. The staff strives to offer opportunities for building relationships beyond the structure of the small learning community. Students have opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with many adults in the building. For other students, their true advisor comes through their fine art class. Still others form a strong relationship with the school counselors or administrators. All in all, the staff as a whole is committed to making sure every student has one or more advocates within the building. Social Equity OHMS supports social equity for each student in multiple ways to ensure an optimal educational experience. All students, including gifted students, students with special needs, and students who speak English as a second language are in heterogeneous general education classes with peers and share high academic and behavioral expectations. Teachers assess and differentiate based on student need, interest, and learning style, in order to give every student equal opportunity to comprehend the standards-based curriculum. Students utilize varied approaches to achieve competency and mastery of standards. A high emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary curriculum and project-based learning (PBL) as all students enhance teamwork and problem-solving skills. Students create essential questions based on passion, interest and voice. They set their own goals, choose materials, differentiate for themselves and guide their own learning. For example, a group of students, including one with an autism spectrum disorder, chose to research autism and to construct a brochure to create awareness. All students have access to valuable knowledge and student choice in classes. All students utilize technology for valued learning. Each OHMS team has access to a technology cart (iPad, Chromebooks, laptops) to use for reading, researching, analyzing data, accessing Google Classroom, and solving mathematical problems. Additionally, every OHMS student has a Bentonville Public Library Tech Card, which provides access to online research opportunities and eBooks. Fifth graders are allowed choice between music and choir. Sixth graders are allowed choice of musical opportunities based on interest, including band, orchestra, choir, and music. Out of 622 total students at OHMS, 164 are in choir, 67 are in band, and 124 are in orchestra. Students involved in these activities include students who speak English as a Second Language, students with IEPs, students with 504 accommodation plans, and students who are identified as gifted. These groups perform for peers, parents, and the community providing a foundation for future opportunities in music and performance. Old High offers a variety of clubs that are positive options to create a sense of belonging for all students. Clubs reach a diverse group of students seeking participation and association in social, physical, academic, and/or special interests groups based on like-mindedness. Clubs include: Knightly Gardeners, Tinkering Club, Tech Club, STEAM, Girls Club, Fitness Club, and Running Club, Girls on the Run, Book Clubs, and Odyssey of the Mind, Math Counts, Student Council, Recycled Art, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Giving Tree Club. The OHMS club schedule is strategically planned to utilize different times of the day in order to allow opportunities for all students. At this time, the weekly club attendance is at 437 students. Organizational Support As a high performing middle school, Old High strives to establish norms, structures and organizational arrangements to support and sustain its trajectory toward excellence. OHMS began a journey several years ago of creating a document to highlight a shared vision that drives every decision made within the building: OHMS’s Core Beliefs. The Core Beliefs are the result of extensive work by the faculty, and they are the guiding principles of every decision made for the students at OHMS. The beliefs are centered on: academics, arts, social, and emotional aspects of a middle school-aged child. The purpose is to ensure our students have a common vocabulary which supports the vision of the Bentonville School District and OHMS. The Core Beliefs are in both principals’ offices and in classrooms. It is because of these established Core Beliefs that Old High is driven to seek constant improvement. Examples of the staff’s eagerness to improve abound throughout the building: staff members participate in book studies; teachers participate in “open door” walk-throughs to hone their craft and improve instructional practice; counselors seek to bring in new programs such as the Mentor Matters program as a means to connect the school and community, while also improving methods in which OHMS supports the emotional, social, and academic needs of the students. The school is in a constant state of change and improvement. Much of this growth and forward momentum is due to a system of checks and balances through shared, distributed, and sustained leadership. The administration team is the perfect combination of a person who pushes the school in new directions combined with a person who supports that same forward energy, but also strives to preserve the institutional memory and purpose of what makes Old High special. This allows the building leaders to work together in a positive manner to establish a well laid plan and keep the school’s vision and Core Beliefs at the central focus. Relationships, prioritizing literacy in instruction, calculated risk-taking, and a growth mindset are all valued highly at OHMS. The establishment of relationships is imperative in all learning goals set for students. Relationships among teachers, staff, administration, parents, community members, and students are based on trust and common goals. Literacy is prioritized across the curriculum in many ways, including giving presentations and using C.E.R. (claims-evidence-reasoning) in math, science, and social studies. Teachers and students are also encouraged to take calculated risks in various ways, such as through Genius Hour and interdisciplinary PBLs. Interdependent relationships developed among grade and content levels support a risktaking and reflective instructional culture. Using a variety of systematic communication efforts, including monthly faculty meetings, a weekly Next Week @ OHMS email, daily emails, electronic calendar, text messages, and administrative visibility. The driving force is getting information to the necessary stakeholders in an efficient and responsive manner. The key is thorough and precise communication through clear lines of leadership. Much of the success of OHMS can be attributed to the variety of communication tools utilized. There are nine teams (three-6th grade, three5th grade, SPED, Encore, & PE4Life). Each team has a representative to voice concerns and act as a liaison between administration and staff. Additionally, team leader minutes are shared with staff through Google drive. Weekly team meetings and weekly PLC meetings provide opportunities for reflection and school improvement, Administrators attend team and PLC meetings regularly and provide clear feedback to the teachers regarding team and PLC discussions and notes. Communication with students and families is vital. Communication methods include daily announcements for students, weekly Tuesday Folders, 5th and 6th grade information boards, a marquee at the entrance of the school, a monthly newsletter, the utilization of social media (via Twitter), Parent-Teacher conferences, and an active PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization). The hashtag #weareoldhigh is used on Twitter when communicating about student achievements, engaging activities, and school events. Additionally, when a student’s data indicates a schedule change is needed, the first step is to directly involve the student’s family, teachers, counselors, and administration. Families are informed about the school’s goals for each student and progress in meeting those goals. The acceleration teachers send postcards home to parents with positive notes regarding student participation and progress throughout the year. Feedback for accountability from all stakeholders is important. Through the counseling program, online surveys via Google Docs are available to all students. Students have access to surveys at the beginning of the year through the school counselors meeting with each homeroom class. Data is collected and counseling procedures are determined. Surveys are sent to parents electronically and in Tuesday Folders. The data collected from this survey guides the quarterly Parent Involvement meetings. The district conducts an online survey for parents. Ninety-eight percent of responders agreed/strongly agreed that they feel welcomed when visiting OHMS. While 97% of responders said they receive timely communication in many different ways.

2023 Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley Oxford Prep SOC Orange County Adam Wright, Principal Enrollment: 680. Grade Levels: TK-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Champion profile defines student skills/competencies to cultivate Asset-based approach to learning: multiple intelligences of all students Data-informed, six-week intervention program supports literacy and math skills Thinking maps foundation for a school-wide writing program Scholar Academy for SWD supports access to general education curriculum

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

2023 William Mendenhall Middle School Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Alameda County Tammy Rankin, Principal Enrollment: 882. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Strong shared leadership between administrators and instructional leadership team High expectations to meet the needs of all students PBIS program guides students daily Counselor creates weekly SEL videos taught by teachers Inclusive student leadership activities where all students participate

Become a National Schools to Watch. Schools to Watch ® The National Forum established criteria that are the basis for the Schools to Watch Program ®. The program focuses on school improvement efforts characterized by a continuous trajectory toward success. The Schools to Watch program has state directors in 20 states: Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan | New Jersey | New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Texas | Utah | Virginia Use the links above to access your state's application. If your state is NOT listed above , please use the National Schools to Watch Application . 2026 STW Applications You can download your state's application instructions through the links above. Applications are normally due in the Fall, but you can contact your State Director (through the links above) for specific due dates for each state. Steps to becoming designated as a Schools to Watch 1. Download your state's application instructions through the links above (coming soon). 2. Request access and complete the Schools to Watch Self-Study & Rating Rubric . 3. Download the FREE Schools to Watch Toolkit . As an alternative, you may contact your State Director . If your state does not currently have a State Director, please download the National Schools to Watch Application . If you are interested in becoming a State Director (or know someone who might be interested), please contact us . Not quite ready to become a Schools to Watch? Use the Schools to Watch Self-Study & Rating Rubric for school improvement. The rubric is available to share with your administration and faculty if you should want to use it as a school improvement tool without applying for recognition at this time. The National Forum offers a FREE Schools to Watch Toolkit to guide you through the Schools to Watch Self-Study & Rating Rubric and the STW application process. You can also join us in Washington, D.C., Jun e 25-27, 2026, for the National STW Conference , and learn about the process from those who have done it before! Advancing excellence in the middle grades Our Mission Apply Applications are normally due in the Fall, but you can contact your State Director for specific due dates for each state. Applications for 2024 are coming soon! Celebrate All Schools to Watch are honored at the National STW Conference in June in Washington, D.C.

2023 Robert C. Fisler School Fullerton Elementary School District Orange County Kimberley Benaraw, Principal Enrollment: 384. Grade Levels: TK-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Computer science pathways solve real-world problems PATHfinder helps students discover/apply passions to college/career readiness Platinum PBIS school: Proactive approach to social, emotional, academic success PLC time for teachers to create action steps based on student data Navigator Catch Up Cafe after-school program for students with low grades

2023 Melva Davis Academy of Excellence Adelanto Elementary School District San Bernardino County Kathy Youskievicz, Principal Enrollment: 809. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Classroom procedures/expectations for SEL, self-motivation, self-advocacy Relationship building and life experiences Deep collaboration among the staff Variety of electives allows students/teachers to find and follow their passion Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions for students that need extra support

2023 Don Juan Avila Middle School Capistrano Unified School District Orange County Amy Varricchio, Principal Enrollment: 926. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Onsite PLC coach supports teams re: standards, learning, interventions MTSS provides interventions for students needing support beyond Tier 1 Daily 26-minute “Bronco+” tutorial for intervention, re-teaching, enrichment PBIS expectations in school-wide behavior matrix with “Bronco Bucks” digital rewards Inclusive, collaborative co-teaching for SWD and ELs for ongoing support

2020 Ardis Ann 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 Expeditionary learning interdisciplinary unitsprovide opportunities for student voice and choicein authentic project-based learning experienceswhich strengthen engagement with requiredcurriculum expectations. Research, reading,writing (multiple drafts), and oral communicationskills are integral components of each EL unit. Learning opportunities within the community areconnected and provide authentic opportunities for students to experience the power of service learning. Multiple data sources, including adaptive technology programs, academic performance, habits of work and learning (HOWLs), attendance, and discipline are used to support personalized learning for each student. School wide processes, including daily advisory and teacher team meetings, continuously identify students who are struggling academically and provide support structures for RtI interventions. An academic honors banquet for students who excel in academics, attendance, and leadership is provided as an end of year celebration. Students in need of intensive academic support are identified weekly as part of our ICU program, then provided time to make up missing assignments before and after school and during lunch times. A schoolwide expectation for learning objectives is evident in classroom instruction as daily learning targets, beginning with “I can” provide clear language to support students in understanding their learning goals. Students establish and monitor academic goals by checking their grades and attendance each week and discussing with advisory teachers. Academic expectation processes are outlined in Habits of Work and Learning (HOWL) and are used to change the lens from teacher to student ownership. Students are equipped and empowered of as “Leaders of Their Own Learning” with various opportunities for student voice and hands on learning throughout multiple courses of study. Explore/activity teachers and athletic coaches value the schoolwide ICU system communicating missing work and intervene to support students turning in work is being turned in on time. Real life experiences being taught in the school (budgeting, water conservation, natural disaster preparedness, speaking skills) are interwoven throughout academic classroom expectations. Project Lead the Way (PLTW) courses are integrated in science classrooms (medical detectives, magic of electrons, flight and space) as well as during activity times (design and modeling, robotics, technology coding) providing opportunities for all students to learn through problem-based learning units. Students have one-to-one chromebook access, as well as iPad, smartboards, and interactive VR tools available to enhance learning experiences. The core curriculum includes readers/writers workshop and conceptual math units infused with engaging instructional practices to support student problem-solving and independence. Teachers meet in content and interdisciplinary team meetings to review curriculum expectations and design engaging instructional experiences and assessments to strengthen academic learning. Developmental Responsiveness Students meet daily for advisory time (Students, Teachers, and Relationships - STAR) which includes team building activities, conversations about “sticky situations,” goal setting,reviewing academic and behavioral progress, and other activities designed to meet the needs of the whole child (healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged). Small communities of learning for students in each grade level (Discoverers, Pathfinders, Imagineers, Innovators, Adventurers, Challengers, Ignitors) are designed to strengthen relationships and personal connections with each student. Students feel they are valued, accepted and connected to adults and others in the school with daily advisory time and smaller team learning communities. 1:1 student technology is available and utilized daily by students in the learning process as a classroom tool for research, reading, and accessing/creating information as well as to address adaptive learning needs through programs such as ST Math, LightSail, Mindplay, etc. Student-led conferences where students take the lead role in communicating their learning are scheduled in the Fall and Spring which has increased family involvement to 90% parental participation. Health and Wellness (Whole-child) focuses are facilitated by numerous programs including a clothes closet, nurse, mentors, backpack meals, and our School Resource Officer (SRO. Habits of Work and Learning (HOWLs) learning targets are posted in classrooms in addition to academic Learning Targets, addressing student social and emotional needs. Sponsors and teacher teams are deliberate to ensure all diverse groups are represented on committees. Counselors have means for students to access them through various platforms. Flexible seating is used to meet students developmental needs. Parents request Butterfield Trail Middle School because of the way the school responds to students academic and social needs and the level of innovation embedded in the academic culture. Transition to middle school from elementary school is supported through a “That’s How Butterfield Does It” 6th grade learning expedition, culminating with a celebration of learning where students teach their families about Butterfield Trail Middle School. Social Equity All students, including English language learners, gifted and advanced, students with disabilities, multiple ethnicities, etc., participate in heterogeneous classes with high expectations for all students. Students earn tokens through positive behavior supports (PBIS) to buy items from the school store and earn incentives, encouraging both positive behavior habits and economic learning experiences. Student voice is integral to the school culture evident in student led leadership meetings. STAR (Students, Teachers And Relationships) advisory program is implemented daily in all grade levels focused on ongoing dialogue with students in a safe environment to talk and share, including team building, sticky situations, school safety, Habits of Work and Learning (HOWLs) and academic/behavioral goal setting. Student council is nominated by students and faculty and aligned to 4 areas to best meet identified needs across the school (Social, Service, Student Voice and Support). Leadership Council students meets once a month to support growth of student leadership through their STAR class built around the H.O.W.L. character attributes. Students learn through learning expedition units as equality and respect are interwoven components of each unit. Two way communication with families occurs through conferences, remind 101, surveys with feedback, email, newsletter, social media and student agendas. Habits of Work and Learning (HOWLs) ideals (Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance) are visible and evident throughout the school. Parents articulate how the HOWLs are modeled across the school by students and faculty. Organizational Support Exploratory/activity teachers are paired with core teachers for STAR Advisory to ensure a smaller teacher to student ratio to strengthen relationships. Distributive leadership practices for school initiatives is evident as staff members are encouraged and invited to participate in leadership roles and articulate ideals to improve learning across the school evident in the STAR advisory program, Live School, scheduling, etc. Transition documentation and dialogue with elementary school support seamless services for high need students Teachers participate in weekly team meetings with school counselors to review student data (academic, attendance, behavioral) and make RTI referrals. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) meet weekly for both content and interdisciplinary planning utilizing team structures including agendas, setting norms, roles for team members, and access to student data and curriculum resources. Annual evidence of staff, student, and community contribution to the school vision and mission process resulting in a school mantra of “Igniting a Passion for Learning-NOW!” Evidence of distributive leadership across the school to strengthen academic and social responsive areas, including the school leadership team and sub-committees for various school initiatives. The school is connected and supported by the community through a partnership with a local university for the Professional Development School as well as the Van Buren High School Teacher Cadet Program, and project based expeditionary learning opportunities with multlple community supporters. Parents are offered involvement in the school through P.T.A., after school extra curricular activities, and sub committees to support school initiatives such as the PBIS committee. Leadership is continuously involved and responsive to parents, students and staff concerns as issues and questions are addressed immediately, often with phone or face-to-face communications.

2015 National Schools To Watch Conference Featuring Debbie Silver June 25-28, 2015 View conference photos

2023 Bernice Harrell Chipman Junior High Bakersfield City School District Kern County Tomás Prieto, Principal Enrollment: 727. Grade Levels: 7-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Daily advisory for academics and SEL MTSS Tier I/Tier II provide school-wide and individual student supports Reading intervention model addresses foundational literacy gaps GPA credit recovery includes recovery coursework, tutoring, mentoring Culture of literacy with school-wide and individual student goals