Florida 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 Alicia Harp aliciaharp@gmail.com Participating Organizations Florida Schools to Watch Joined Schools to Watch in 2024 Schools to Watch Application 2026 Application Instructions Florida Hidden Oaks K-8 School (2025) School Profiles Coming Soon

Missouri 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 Dr. Ron Woodard rwoodard93@gmail.com Participating Organizations Missouri Schools to Watch Joined National STW Program in 2025 Schools to Watch Application Coming soon! Missouri Coming soon! School Profiles Coming Soon

2023 Thomas Law Reed School Kings Canyon Unified School District Fresno County Rick McCollum, Principal Enrollment: 554. Grade Levels: K-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Monthly discipline data review with classroom/grade level representatives School-wide system for staff to recognize students’ positive behavior Students participate in community service and volunteer work Certificated, classified, management staff serve on behavior team Weekly teacher collaboration time for learning and team meetings

David Vroman Fidelity Committee Chair < Back

Kentucky 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 Robb Smith, Ph.D. stwkentucky@gmail.com Amy Razor, Ed.D. amy.razor@nkces.org Participating Organizations Kentucky Middle School Association Joined National STW Program in 2004 Schools to Watch Application 2026 Application Instructions Kentucky Schools to Watch Adairville School (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2022) Auburn Elementary School (2004, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022) Ballyshannon Middle School (2024) Belfrey Middle School (2008, 2011) Benton Middle School (2008, 2011, 2014) Boyd County Middle School (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019) Chandler's Elementary School (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022) Crosby Middle School (2008) East Oldham Middle School (2010) Eastside Middle School (2008) FT Burns Middle School (2005, 2008) Garrard County Middle School (2017, 2020) James E. Bazzell Middle School (2008) James T. Alton Middle School (2008) Lebanon Middle School (2013) Leestown Middle School (2025) Lewisburg School (2018, 2022) Lloyd B. McGuffey 6th Grade Center (2008) Mahaffey Middle School (2004) Mayfield Middle School (2017, 2020, 2023) Monroe County Middle School (2011) Mt. Washington Middle School (2010, 2014, 2017) Noe Middle School (2007) North Marshall Middle School (2015) North Middle School (2011) North Oldham Middle School (2007, 2010) North Washington Elementary School (2013) Northern Pulaski Middle School (2005, 2008) Oldham County Middle School (2008) Olmstead Elementary School (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023, 2023) Rowan County Middle School (2017, 2020) Royal Spring Middle School (2013) South Oldham Middle School (2006, 2009) Spencer County Middle School (2018) Union County Middle School (2017, 2020) West Carter Middle School (2010, 2013) School Profiles Coming Soon

2023 Ellen Fletcher Middle School Palo Alto Unified School District Santa Clara County Melissa Howell, Principal Enrollment: 540. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Inclusive community with respect for diversity Unique bell schedule with alternating course choices for learning, intervention, enrichment Weekly PRIME SEL period with lessons reviewed by counselors and teacher leaders Common team prep times allow for teacher teaming and collaboration Flexible support structures support a variety of student needs

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

2023 The STEAM Academy @ Burke El Rancho Unified School District Los Angeles County Lorin Yannarella, Principal Enrollment: 544. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices 7-period schedule means SWD and emerging-bilingual students get an elective STEAM approach addresses the whole child with 27 elective choices Teacher collaboration/project-based learning to engage students, connect subjects Meaningful integration of technology from TinkerCad to GarageBand Counselors, PBIS and mental health supports ensure a positive environment

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

2017-2018 J.O. Kelly Middle School 2017-2018 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2008 Re-Designated in 2011, 2015, 2018 Community Size - Enrollment - 782 Grade Levels - 6, 7 School Calendar - Block Free and Reduced Lunch 90% English Learners 46% Students With Disabilities 12% Demographics Hispanic 68% White 13% African American 4% Asian 2% Native American 0% Pacific Islander 0% Filipino 0% Two or More 0% Other 2% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence Teachers implement research based instructional strategies and create rigorous learning opportunities that adhere to state standards. Assessment drives instruction through data analysis of summative, formative, and interim assessments. Student led conferences provide an opportunity for students to reflect on and set goals for personal growth. 1:1 technology is integrated into every classroom and utilized to provide differentiation to support the development of all learners. Teachers engage in content PLCs conversations driven by the assessment cycle: Select and unwrap learning outcomes, screen for prior skills, Tier 1 instruction, formative assessment, Tier 2 intervention, continue Tier 1 instruction, summative assessment, and analysis of data. Developmental Responsiveness At J.O. Kelly, we implemented a Positive Behavior Intervention System which addresses restorative practices toward student behavior. Advisory is a systemic practice that provides for student-teacher relationship building, opportunities to experience enrichment as well as Tier 2 instruction. Collaboration is a consistent practice for every student in both core and encore classes. Teamwork is a daily practice at J.O. Kelly. Teachers engage in book studies to further their understanding of adolescent development: mentally, socially, and emotionally to enhance the culture of our school as well as the academic growth of students. Students are given the opportunity through Knight Time to sign up for clubs and classes that interest them. This supports student development of self-knowledge and broadens their experiences. Various leadership roles are assigned to students such as ambassadors to serve as role models for other students as well as prepare students to become contributing members of society. Social Equity Our counselors provide many resources for families that address physical, emotional, and social needs. Our Snack Pack program provides additional food items for any student needing this assistance. Every quarter, we implemented a building-wide practice of Team Meetings where grade level teams come together to discuss academic, mental, social, and emotional concerns of students. These meetings are also attended by the Leadership team and counselors. J.O. Kelly has a systemic and fluid intervention system that promotes mastery of skills, in both literacy and math, to move students toward grade level expectations. Students are identified by clear and concise criteria. Organizational Support The Leadership team meets weekly to discuss the progress of implementing the action steps of the mission: rigorous learning, culture, teacher learning, and behavior expectations. A systemic intervention system addresses the needs of all learners and is accessible to all students. The Professional Learning community model is implemented across both grade levels.

Ran Barnes Middle Grades Practitioner Ran Barnes has served for over fifteen years as a Board member for the North Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education. While on that Board, he has served as the Central Office Representative, Treasurer, and Past- President. In addition, Ran serves on the Board for the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. While serving on these Boards, Ran worked with the 2010 Investing in Innovation i3 grant for NC. This was a three-state collaboration with North Carolina, Illinois, and California. He is currently the state director for the SEED grant. This is a 4 state initiative with Michigan, California, North Carolina and Illinois. Ran is active in the Schools to Watch (STW) initiative in North Carolina. Each year he visits schools to help determine a school as a new STW or a redesignated STW. < Back

2023 ICEF Vista Middle Academy ICEF Public Schools Los Angeles County Brenna Persky, Principal Enrollment: 210. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Student talk routines increase participation in math Targeted small group interventions in ELA and math Restorative response to discipline Social circles to build classroom community Executive functioning in the middle grades