Contact the National Forum about the Schools to Watch program. Contact Us Interested in more information about the Forum? Contact us. Over the phone or online : hello@middlegradesforum.org | (800) 326-1880, ext. 1 Conference Questions? stwconference@middlegradesforum.org

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

North Carolina 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 Darryl Conner Dawseyd.conner@cms.k12.nc.us Participating Organizations North Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education (NCMLE) PO Box 29750, Charlotte, NC 28299 Phone: 910.235.3761 Email: info@ncmle.org State Website: www.ncmle.org Joined National STW Program in 2002 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions North Carolina Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Albemarle Road Middle School (2021) Alexander Graham Middle School (2006) Apple Valley Middle School (2009) Ashe County Middle School (2003) Cane River Middle School (2025) Carmel Middle School (2005) Carrington Middle School (2007) Chowan Middle School (2010) Crestdale Middle School (2009) East Lincioln Middle School (2004) East Yancey Middle School (2005) Ellerbe Middle School (2017) Flat Rock Middle School (2007) Hamlet Middle School (2013) Harold E. Winkler Middle School (2020) Hendersonville Middle School (2010) J.M Fries Middle School (2021) Jay M. Robinson Middle School (2005) John Griffin Middle School (2004) Lakewood Montessori School (2015) Lowe's Grove Middle School (2019) McGee's Crossroads Middle School (2011) Midway Middle School (2019) Mint Hill Middle School (2006) Montford Northstar Academy CLOSED (2024) Mt. Airy Middle School (2014) New Century International Middle School (2025) New Century Middle School (2025) Newton-Conover STEM Middle School (2017) Northview Middle School (2015) Orange Middle School was C.W. Stanford MS (2014) Piedmont Open IB Middle School (2011) Reid Ross Classical School (2004) Rockingham County Middle School (2018) Rogers-Herr Middle School (2008) Rugby Middle School (2003) School for Creative Studies (2020) Selma Middle School (2024) Seventy-First Classical Middle School (2025) Sherwood Githens Middle School (2017) Smithfield Middle School (2023) South Charlotte Middle School (2004) Thomas Jefferson Middle School (2007) West Alexander Middle School (2019) West Pine Middle School (2008) William Lenoir Middle School (2010)

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 Curt Ivey cpivey@spsmail.org Participating Organizations Missouri Schools to Watch Joined National STW Program in 2025 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions Missouri Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Cherokee Middle School (2026) Wilson’s Creek Intermediate School (2026)

2023 Vineyard Junior High School Alta Loma School District San Bernardino County Sandy Rose, Principal Enrollment: 642. Grade Levels: 7-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Gold PBIS award: positive school culture Ongoing kindness and culture campaigns build positive connections MTSS to meet students’ individual academic, behavioral, SEL needs 1:1 technology, Google Classroom, i-Ready, English 3D, LANGUAGE! Live, more Instruction: differentiation, hands-on, thinking maps, writing across the curriculum

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 Shoreline Middle School Live Oak School District Santa Cruz County Colleen Martin, Principal Enrollment: 450. Grade Levels: 7-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Student-led parent conferences for all students Equitable report card shares standards-based academic progress, student work habits Awesome Time allows interactivity before state testing sessions begin Google slide-based morning announcements Restorative, reverse referrals: administrators go to classes with disruptive behavior

Michigan 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 Kathryn Brown kbrown@excellenceined.org Participating Organizations Joined National STW Program in 2005 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions M ichigan Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Boyd W. Arthurs Middle School (2012) Chatfield School (2016) Discovery Middle School (2018) E.F. Rittmueller Middle School (2006) East Middle School (2018) Grant Middle School (2019) Marshall Greene Middle School (2006) Mt. Morris Middle School (2014) Reese Middle School (2021) Richfield Public School Academy - Middle School (2021) Slauson Middle School (2020) Tappan Middle School (2021) White Pine Middle School (2020)

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

New York 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 David Vroman dvroman@potsdam.k12.ny.us Christine Radez christine.radez@nysed.gov Participating Organizations New York State Dept. of Education 89 Washington Ave 320-EB Albany, NY 12234 Phone: (518) 474-0059 Email: christine.radez@nysed.gov State Website: www.eestw.org Joined National STW Program in 2004 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions New York Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) A.A. Kingston Middle School (2009) A.D. Oliver Middle School (2020) Ballston Spa Middle School (2015) Barker Road Middle School (2006) Bay Trail Middle School (2010) Calkins Road Middle School (2006) Camden Middle School (2024) Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School (2011) Corning‐Painted Post Middle School (2019) Cosgrove Middle School (2017) Cuba-Rushford Middle School (2023) Elwood Middle School (2022) Farnsworth Middle School (2012) Fieldstone Middle School (2018) Garden City Middle School (2011) Glens Falls Middle School (2009) H.H. Wells Middle School (2025) Honeoye Falls‐Lima Middle School (2013) Indian Lake Middle School (2012) Island Trees Memorial Middle School (2020) Jericho Middle School (2009) Johanna Perrin Middle School (2013) Jonas E. Salk Middle School (2020) Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School (2010) Longwood Junior High School (2012) Marlboro Middle School (2023) Martha Brown Middle School (2012) Memorial Junior High School (2017) Merrick Ave. Middle School (2022) Millbrook Middle School (2019) Mineola Middle School (2019) Moravia Middle School (2006) North Salem Middle/High School (2007) North Shore Middle School (2016) Oceanside Middle School (2012) Oliver W. Winch Middle School (2006) Plainedge Middle School (2009) Rocky Point Middle School (2019) Sayville Middle School (2006) Seaford Middle School (2024) South Orangetown Middle School (2015) Twelve Corners Middle School (2006) Van Wyck Junior High School (2012) Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Middle School (2018) Wantagh Middle School (2023) Willets Rd. Middle School (2025)

2023 Hosler Middle School Lynwood Unified School District Los Angeles County John Terry, Principal Enrollment: 938. Grade Levels: 7-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Common ELA & math assessments with data reflection to support student learning Support summits: relationship/self-care skills, personal data reviews Health collaborative with 37 outside agencies supports students/families 15 electives: Art, AVID, band, anatomy, entomology, robotics, medical detectives Parent activities: monthly workshops, technology, data chats with English learners

About the National Forum. About The Forum The National Forum is a nonprofit educators’ association dedicated to improving education and school-based supports for all young adolescents in the middle grades. Its alliance of educators, researchers, associations, and state departments of education operate the organization’s Schools to Watch recognition, continuous improvement, and model schools program. Today, there are hundreds of Schools to Watch in 20 states all focused on serving the social, emotional, and academic needs of each student in culturally relevant and inclusive ways. These exceptional schools continue to improve each year and serve as models and mentors for educators from other schools. Advancing excellence in the middle grades Our Mission Our Mission The mission of the National Forum is to unite key stakeholders in leveraging research, policy, leadership, community, and replicable practices in order to optimize the social, emotional, and academic growth of all middle-grades students. Our 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. Our History In the mid-nineties, a group of K-12 and higher-ed educators gathered together to map out real-world guidance for middle-grades schools on ways to support the whole child during the young-adolescent stage of development. The middle school movement, with its focus on students’ social and emotional well-being, had started to lose steam in the national education conversation. Indeed, the group was concerned that the unique needs of middle-grades students were no longer being addressed in an organized way at the district, state, and national levels. The Schools to Watch Rubric The group decided to focus on producing an evidence-based framework that would provide schools with practical guidance on what elements should be present in a thriving middle-grades school. The resulting Schools to Watch rubric was finalized in 2002. Since then, thousands of schools across the country have used the rubric to measure their school’s level of effectiveness in the areas of social equity, developmental responsiveness, academic excellence, and innovative systems. The National Forum & the Schools to Watch Program In 1997, the group formed the nonprofit National Forum. In 1999, the organization debuted its Schools to Watch program, which leveraged the Schools to Watch rubric to identify exceptional middle-grades schools that serve all students well and are on a trajectory toward excellence. The program’s usefulness and ability to motivate staff to continue to grow appealed to schools, and the number of states and participating schools grew steadily. While each state has its own process for identifying and celebrating schools, all states align when it comes to the core Schools to Watch requirements. Today, there are hundreds Schools to Watch in 20 states, with more being added each year. The National Schools to Watch Conference, held in the Washington, DC metro area, is attended by over 750 Schools to Watch educators annually Schools to Watch is now a thriving national network. Schools To Watch