2023 Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County Oxford Prep SOC Orange County Kerry Velez, Principal Enrollment: 870. Grade Levels: TK-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices MTSS addresses students’ individual academic, behavioral, social-emotional needs Champion profile defines student skills/competencies to cultivate Parent ambassador program supports parent leadership, education, voice Weekly professional learning planning on data, assessment, pacing, vertical planning Data-informed, six-week intervention program support literacy and math skills

North Carolina Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan | 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 2026 Application Instructions North Carolina Schools to Watch Albemarle Road Middle School (2021) Alexander Graham Middle School (2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2024) Apple Valley Middle School (2009, 2012, 2105, 2018, 2021) Ashe County Middle School (2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2024) C.W. Stanford Middle School (2014) Cane River Middle School (2025) Carmel Middle School (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023) Carrington Middle School (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Chowan Middle School (2010, 2013, 2016, 2021) Crestdale Middle School (2009, 2012, 2105, 2018, 2021) East Lincioln Middle School (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022) East Yancey Middle School (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2024) Ellerbe Middle School (2017) Flat Rock Middle School (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019) Hamlet Middle School (2013, 2016, 2019) Harold E. Winkler Middle School (2020, 2023) Hendersonville Middle School (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2023) J.M Fries Middle School (2021) Jay M. Robinson Middle School (2005, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023) John Griffin Middle School (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Lakewood Montessori School (2015, 2018, 2021) Lowe's Grove Middle School (2019, 2022) McGee's Crossroads Middle School (2011) Midway Middle School (2019, 2022) Mint Hill Middle School (2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021) Montford Northstar Academy (2024) Mt. Airy Middle School (2014, 2017, 2020) New Century International Middle School (2025) New Century Middle School (2025) Newton-Conover STEM Middle School (2017) North Lincoln Middle School (0, 2015, 2018, 2021) Northview Middle School (2015, 2018, 2021) Piedmont Open IB Middle School (2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023) Reid Ross Classical School (2004) Rockingham County Middle School (2018, 2021, 2024) Rockingham Middle School Richmond County (2020) Rogers-Herr Middle School (2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023) Rugby Middle School (2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 2024) School for Creative Studies (2020) Selma Middle School (2024) Seventy-First Classical Middle School (2025) Sherwood Githens Middle School (2017, 2020) Smithfield Middle School (2023) South Charlotte Middle School (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Thomas Jefferson Middle School (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2020) West Alexander Middle School (2019, 2022) West Pine Middle School (02020, 2023) William Lenoir Middle School (2010) School Profiles Coming Soon

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

Florida Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan | 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 COMING SOON! School Profiles Coming Soon

2011 National Schools To Watch Conference June, 2011 View conference photos

2017-2018 Cabot Middle School South 2017-2018 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2012 Re-Designated in 2015, 2018 Community Size - Rural School Enrollment - 779 Grade Levels - 5, 6 School Calendar - Traditional Free and Reduced Lunch 46% English Learners 2% Students With Disabilities 15% Demographics Hispanic 7% White 84% African American 3% Asian 1% Native American 1% Pacific Islander 0% Filipino 0% Two or More 3% Other 0% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence Cabot Middle School South has been recognized by the Office for Education Policy as a High Achieving Overall Middle School, performing within the top 10% of schools in Arkansas on standardized testing for the last four years. After emphasizing writing across the curriculum for one academic year Interim assessments are utilized in all subject areas to drive instruction. A Wacky Wednesday schedule has been developed to include project based learning, clubs, response to intervention, and enrichment. R.E.A.L. Squad, an extended learning opportunity, has been implemented twice a week in order to address student needs in the areas of literacy, math, and English language learning. A homework lab is available each morning before school. Developmental Responsiveness CBI (Community Based Instruction) provides experiences with outside businesses and important community locales. Other special services offered are resource, inclusion, self-contained, LAB (Learning Appropriate Behaviors), and Gifted and Talented. Students are given voice and choice with project based learning and clubs. Community partnerships provide service learning through clubs. Transitions are addressed with tours/visits from elementary schools and to the junior high and with participation in a Junior High Fair and a Step Up Day orientation. Further, Open House, Middle School 101, and Advisory are provided as opportunities to address middle school topics with parents and students. Social Equity Forty-five different clubs sponsored by teachers, parents, and community leaders are offered for students to choose from for each semester. R.E.A.L. Panther assemblies are held each month to spotlight students in the areas of respect, exploration, achievement, and leadership. An extra recess has been added to the daily schedule in order to promote social engagement and to intervene with struggling students. Diversity and equity are represented through club topics led by club sponsors of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. Students are given opportunities to cultivate compassion for others through several clubs as well. ESL (English as a Second Language) students are provided minutes with a part time ESL certified teacher and a paraprofessional as additional support in the growth of the English language. Organizational Support The school schedule has built in time for adults to collaborate and grow professionally. Professional Learning Communities with departments and teams and a Leadership Committee are set up to encourage adult learning and to analyze data, student growth, and curriculum. Weekly intervention time creatively involves all adults (classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, Encore teachers). Transportation is offered for the R.E.A.L. Squad after school program in order to ensure availability to all students recommended. Weekly schedules address grade level needs. Fifth grade has a 75 minute block schedule with students rotating classes as an advisory. Sixth grade models a junior high schedule that allows them to switch classes and mix with different students other than those within their advisory classes. All students are enrolled in an advisory course. Members of the faculty take turns planning weekly lessons that will benefit the whole child.

2023 Yorba Middle School Orange Unified School District Orange County Mark McLaughlin, Principal Enrollment: 544. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices 1:1 digital options for all our students Teachers greet students at the door and ask about their day or weekend LTEL/AVID strategies: speaking in complete sentences, using sentence frames/starters AVID organization skills: agenda checks, paper/electronic declutter day SEL: Anti-bullying & kindness lessons, wellness center accessible all day

Virginia Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan | New Jersey New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Texas | Utah | Virginia State Director Mychael Willon mychaelkan@aol.com Logan Childress lchildress@bvps.org Participating Organizations Virginia Middle School Association Joined National STW Program in 2003 Schools to Watch Application 2026 Application Instructions Virginia Schools to Watch Andrew Lewis Middle School (2016) Bailey Bridge Middle School (2017, 2020) Belmont Ridge Middle School (2009, 2012, 2015, 2018) Blue Ridge Middle School (2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020) Brambleton Middle School (2023) Bull Run Middle School (2008, 2011, 2014, 2018) E.H. Marstellar MS (2005, 2008, 2012, 2017, 2022) Eagle Ridge Middle School (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2023) Elizabeth Davis Middle School (2019, 2023) Elkton Middle School (2016, 2019, 2023) Farmwell Station Middle School (2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2023) Gainesville Middle School (2011, 2014, 2017) Glenvar Middle School (2016, 2019, 2024) Harmony Middle School (2014, 2017, 2020, 2024) Harper Park Middle School (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2023) Herbert J. Saunders Middle School (2004, 2007, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2022) Hickory Middle School (2015, 2018, 2022) Hidden Valley Middle School (2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2023) J. Lupton Simpson Middle School (2016, 2019, 2023) J. Michael Lunsford Middle School (2015, 2018, 2022) Lake Ridge High School (2014, 2019) Mary G. Porter Traditional School (2010, 2013, 2016, 2020) Mercer Middle School (2012, 2015, 2018, 2022) Midlothian Middle School (2016, 2019, 2023) Montevideo Middle School (2016, 2019, 2023) Northside Middle School (2014, 2017, 2022) Philip Michael Pennington Traditional School (2011, 2014, 2017) Powhatan Middle School (2022) Providence Middle School (2020) Rachel Carson Middle School (2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2024) River Bend Middle School (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2023) Robious Middle School (2017, 2020, 2024) Seneca Ridge Middle School (2015, 2018) Short Pump Middle School (2008, 2011, 2015, 2018) Smart's Mill Middle School (2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2025) St. Clare-Walker Middle School (2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2023) Sterling Middle School (2012, 2016, 2019, 2023) Stone Hill Middle School (2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2025) Swift Creek Middle School (2017, 2020, 2024) Tomahawk Creek Middle School (2016, 2019, 2023) Trailside Middle School (2018, 2022) West Point Middle School (2016, 2020) Western Branch Middle School (2018, 2022) Willard Middle School (2023) William Byrd Middle School (2016, 2019) Woodbridge Middle School (2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022) School Profiles Coming Soon

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

2016 National Schools To Watch Conference June 22-25, 2016 View conference photos

Colorado Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan | New Jersey New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Texas | Utah | Virginia State Director Katie Gustafson kgustafson@flagstaffacademy.org Participating Organizations Colorado Association of Middle-Level Education 2040 Miller Drive Longmont, CO 80501 Joined National STW Program in 2003 Schools to Watch Application 2026 Application Instructions Colorado Schools to Watch Altona Middle School (2011, 2021, 2025) Basalt Middle School (2012, 2015, 2018, 2022) Brentwood Middle School (2019, 2022, 2025) Centennial Middle School (2017, 2020, 2023) Corwin International Magnet School (2013, 2016, 2020, 2023) Flagstaff Academy (2019, 2022, 2025) Fountain Middle School (2021) Grand Valley Middle School (2016) Jenkins Middle School (2011, 2020) Lesher Middle School (2014, 2017, 2020) Longs Peak Middle School (2017, 2020) Mountain Vista Community School (2025) Polaris Expeditionary Learning School (2016) Preston Middle School (2016, 2019, 2022, 2025) Redlands Middle School (2017) Rocky Heights Middle School (2016) Rocky Top Middle School (2019) Roosevelt Middle School (formerly Miliken Middle School) (2024) Russell Middle School (2008) SOROCO Middle School (2024) Wellington Middle School (2012) Westview Middle School (2015, 2020, 2023) School Profiles Coming Soon

Arkansas Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan | New Jersey New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Texas | Utah | Virginia State Director Stephanie Anderson stephanie.anderson@fayar.net Participating Organizations Arkansas Diamonds Schools to Watch Arkansas Association of Middle-Level Education Website: https://sites.google.com/view/aamle/aamle Joined National STW Program in 2005 Schools to Watch Application 2026 Application Instructions Arkansas Schools to Watch Alma Middle School: (2023) Ardis Ann Middle School: (2020) Brookland Middle School: (2011) Butterfield Trail Middle School: (2011) Cabot Middle School North: (2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023) Cabot Middle School South: (2012, 2015, 2018, 2022) Crossett Middle School: (2013) Elmwood Middle School: (2019, 2024) Greenbrier Middle School: (2017, 2020, 2023) Helen Tyson Middle School: (2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2021) Hellstern Middle School: (2012, 2015, 2018, 2021) Holt Middle School: (2017, 2020, 2023) J.O. Kelly Middle School: (2008, 2023) McNair Middle School: (2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2025) Old High Middle School: (2017) Owl Creek School: (2013, 2016, 2019, 2022) Ramay Junior High School: (2018) Ruth Barker Middle School: (2018) Sonora Middle School: (2021, 2024) Vilonia Middle School: (2012) Woodland Junior High School: (2017, 2020, 2023) School Profiles Coming Soon 2020 Ardis Ann Middle School 2018-2019 Owl Creek School 2018-2019 Elmwood Middle School 2017-2018 Hellstern Middle School 2017-2018 Cabot Middle School South 2017-2018 J.O. Kelly Middle School 2017-2018 Brookland Middle School 2017-2018 Helen Tyson Middle School 2017-2018 Ramay Junior High School 2017-2018 Ruth Hale Barker Middle School 2017-2018 Butterfield Trail Middle School 2017-2018 McNair Middle School 2016-2017 Greenbrier Middle School 2016-2017 Cabot Middle School North 2016-2017 Holt Middle School 2016-2017 Old High Middle School 2015-2016 Crossett Middle School 2014-2015 Vilonia Middle School