Pennsylvania 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 Bruce Vosburgh brucevosburgh@gmail.com Participating Organizations Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education 1905 Lenape Unionville Road Kennett Square, PA 19348 Email: bvosbur@comcast.net Website: www.pamle.org Joined National STW Program in 2006 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions Pennsylvania Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Abington Heights Middle School (2009) Andrew W. Mellon Middle School (2019) Avonworth Middle School (2009) Beaty-Warren Middle School (2011) Beaver Area Middle School (2024) Bentworth Middle School (2016) Black Rock Middle School (2026) Boyce Middle School (2008) Cambria Heights Middle School (2012) Canon-McMillan Middle School (2011) Cedarbrook Middle (2010) Central Cambria Middle School (2026) Central Valley Middle School (2015) Charleroi Area Middle School (2010) Chartiers Valley Middle School (2023) Deer Lakes Middle School (2023) Derry Area Middle School (2017) Donald H. Eichhorn MS (2010) Dorseyville Middle School (2024) DuBois Area Middle School (2007) Eastern York Middle School (2024) Elizabeth Forward Middle School (2013) ET Richardson Middle School (2014) Fort Couch Middle School (2008) Freeport Area Middle School (2025) Garnet Valley Middle School (2017) Great Valley Middle School (2008) Hampton Middle School (2019) Harrold Middle School (closed) (2020) Highlands Middle School (2016) Ingomar Middle School (2016) Jefferson Middle School (2026) Kane Area Middle School (2014) Kennett Middle School (2012) Lenape Middle School (2007) Marshall Middle School (2025) Meadville Area Middle School (2009) Mt. Nittany Middle School (2011) Neshannock Junior High School (2013) Neshannock Junior High School (2013) New Hope Solebury Middle School (2025) North Hills Middle School (2015) North Hills Middle School (2015) Northley Middle School (2014) Palisades Middle School (2019) Palisades Middle School (2019) Park Forest Middle School (2011) Pine-Richland Middle School (2007) Pleasant Hills Middle School (2015) Radnor Middle School (2016) Ryan Gloyer Middle School (2011) Schuylkill Valley Middle School (2014) Shaler Area Middle School (2026) Sharpsville Middle School (2017) Sheffield Area Middle School (2013) Souderton Charter School Collaborative (2012) South Allegheny Middle School (2009) South Fayette Middle School (2016) South Side Middle School (2013) Springton Lake Middle School (2017) Titusville Middle School (2011) Trinity Middle School (2012) Twin Valley Middle School (2018) Upper Dauphin Area Middle School (2018) Wendover Middle School (2023) West Allegheny Middle School (2018) West Hempfield Middle School (2020) Wilson Southern Middle School (2015) Wilson West Middle School (2015) Yellow Breeches Middle School (2009) Youngsville Elementary/Middle (2012)

2023 Adams Middle School Redondo Beach Unified School District Los Angeles County Tanaz Bruna, Principal Enrollment: 1,080. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Bell schedule maximizes student interventions Back to School celebration on the first day for a strong start Student wellness center Co-taught ELA and math classes boost SWD access to general education Leadership opportunities, groups, and clubs connect kids to school

John Dowd Business Partner John Dowd is the Director of Community Engagement at CORE Construction in Arizona. < Back

2023 E.O. Green Jr. High School Hueneme Elementary School District Ventura County Irma Melgoza-Vasquez, Principal Enrollment: 1,066. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Nine-year Spanish-English dual language immersion student cohorts (K-8) Social-emotional program helps students discuss emotions, social interactions, choices Teacher-provided instructional support for students below grade level CTE pathways align with local high school SEL advisory period embedded into all students’ schedules

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.

2017-2018 McNair Middle School 2017-2018 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2009 Re-Designated in 2012, 2015, 2018 Community Size - Suburban School Enrollment - 730 Grade Levels - 5, 6 School Calendar - Traditional Free and Reduced Lunch 22% English Learners 4% Students With Disabilities 13% Demographics Hispanic 5.4% White 80.1% African American 3.7% Asian 4.1% Native American 0.3% Pacific Islander 0.8% Filipino 0% Two or More 5.6% Other 0% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence Teachers assess ongoing data to progress monitor and utilize the tools from NWEA MAP testing to differentiate the instruction in order to create personal learning goals for all. School wide processes, including daily advisory, attendance/discipline, pod team meetings, and content PLC meetings, continuously identify students who are struggling academically and provide support structures for RTI A and B interventions. To enrich students’ academic excellence and meet the diverse needs of our learners, McNair Middle School is focused on creating quality formative assessments. • Each student conferences one-to-one with their advisory teacher to create SMART goals that address areas of focus within the Reading, Language, and Math learning strands from MAP testing. From these conversations, students share their academic goals with their families creating a culture of community focused on academics between home and school. McNair is implementing a more blended approach to learning as teachers integrate Google Classroom, one-to-one technology, and other technology tools and applications. McNair has continued supporting the differentiation of learning and closing the achievement gaps by giving access to research-based interventions that support the data such as Empowering Writers, Barton, Alphabetic Phonics, ELD and Corrective Reading. To help all our students reach their full academic potential, McNair continues to focus on implementing rigorous lesson planning, relevant research-based, data-driven instruction, and building relationships with each of our Mustangs. Teachers continue to utilize data in their instruction to focus on specific learning targets/goals for each student. Developmental Responsiveness Advisory is a dedicated class period that focuses on academic planning, team building, service learning, and character education. Advisory continues to assist students with goal-setting and smaller learning communities in order to support the whole child. McNair implements an Impact Team, which is a systematic approach to support a student who may not receive support outside of the school. The Impact Team pairs teachers and staff with students. The goal of the Impact Team relationship is to ensure every student’s academic and personal development is guided by an adult advocate. The Impact Team may eat lunch together, check grades, recognize their hobbies, or introduce new goals. Teachers and staff are continuing to explore current research in order to understand early adolescence. McNair provides targeted professional development to teachers each year on the specific academic, social, emotional, and developmental needs of early adolescents. Students are given an opportunity to have ownership and choice in their learning. Students feel respected when topics, and how to approach the learning of that topic, can be explored in many different ways. Core and encore classes allow students the opportunity to showcase their learning in a variety of learning modes and find ways to collaborate with their peers in order to better understand the given topic. Teachers are comfortable being the facilitator while letting students lead the discussion. McNair implemented student-involved conferences that provide a hybrid approach to parentteacher conferences. Students and families meet with the teacher to discuss academic and social progress. Then the student and family meet together to review his/her Google Sites student portfolio. Using Google Sites as our mode for student portfolios creates a realistic and relevant method of communication and branding. Student portfolios currently consist of a personal mission statement, grades and attendance, a personal learning plan (data sheet and goal setting), and artifacts from each content area. Together as a family they answer reflection questions of celebrations and growth areas. Flexible Seating is utilized throughout the building to meet students’ developmental needs. Students have opportunity to explore a variety of personal interests such as Fly Fishing, Archery, Odyssey of the Mind, Theatre, and many more. This gives students a sense of belonging while building relationships with teachers outside of the classroom. Creating lifelong leaders along with lifelong learners is a high priority at McNair. We create a variety of leadership roles. These leadership roles consist of Ambassadors, Principal’s Cabinet, Fire Marshals, Student Council, Pod Council and Students of the Week who lead pod meetings. To maximize our student leadership, we ensure that there is no overlap of students for each leadership role. Through our relationship with community partners, students participate in a variety of studentlearning project through advisory, leadership roles, and after-school clubs. Service Learning is a designated time when students can focus on their passion and develop soft skills while enhancing and enriching the lives of others Community connections may include guest speakers, informing students of methods to get involved in the community, and/or partnering with a community group. Social Equity Families are provided access to comprehensive services to meet their physical, social, and emotional needs. McNair has established a PBIS/RTI Committee of teacher leaders. The PBIS/RTI meets once a month to discuss building-wide initiatives and academic/learning progressions. The PBIS/RTI committee then meets with their respective team members and leads the monthly team RTI and Praise and Polish meetings. Our staff maximizes the master schedule by having ongoing interventionist available throughout the day in order to help support the child’s academics and behavior needs. With the addition of MAP data, teachers are now able to progress monitor and create specific learning goals. Our Structured Learning Classroom (SLC) is mainstreamed for encores, advisory, and runs our Green Team. Families are supported with ongoing community resources providing access to school functions, transportation, and meals. When families attend McNair, they feel the connection of community within the school. Organizational Support McNair advisory is built on the foundation of four pillars: team building, character education, academic planning, and service learning. Our R.U.N. motto has been ingrained into our culture at McNair. ‘R’ stands for Respect, ‘U’ stands for Understand We Own Our Behavior, and ‘N’ stands for Never Quit. Our PBIS Behavior Matrix system establishes student behavior expectations. By using researchbased strategies, the PBIS increases positive interactions. The PBIS leadership team meets monthly in order to answer building questions and review on a regular basis about the student success. McNair has a school-wide instructional leadership teams focusing on promoting the middle school philosophy, effective instructional practices, and educational initiatives. The purpose of the ILT team is to work collaboratively to develop and implement school wide improvement goals in order achieve the vision and mission of McNair Middle School. A multi-tiered RTI program is in place to support all students in academics and behavior. Professional Learning Communities are established by grade-level content teams. McNair has implemented one-to-one technology. Teachers have collaborated and researched best practices to ensure effective technology implementation and integration into their lesson plans. McNair has started MakerSpaces in the library. MakerSpace allows students to become creators of information (not just consumers), build critical thinking and problem solving skills, participate in selfdirected learning, foster a culture of creativity and collaboration, and allow for inquiry and exploration.

2017-2018 Hellstern Middle School 2017-2018 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2012 Re-Designated in 2018,2018 Community Suze -Suburban School Enrollment - 968 Grade Levels - 6, 7 School Calendar - Traditional Free and Reduced Lunch 50% English Learners 25% Students With Disabilities 9% Demographics Hispanic 30% White 58% African American 2% Asian <1% Native American 1% Pacific Islander 7% Filipino 0% Two or More 0% Other 0% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence Ranked in top 20 schools in state Top 5 in region Science teachers writing and submitting NGSS lessons at the national level Use of flexible scheduling to meet the needs of students Personalized Learning Plans developed for each student Above state and national norms in all tested subjects Goal Setting, Rigor Matrix, Extensions, Growth Mindset Developmental Responsiveness Advisory Program called Habitudes Service learning projects School garden Action-based learning and flexible seating Social Equity Tutoring available to all students Regrouping and point-in-time remediation Extensions such as GT, EAST, Honors Challenge Inclusion model in place Different cultures valued through clubs, celebrations, performances, etc. Daily protected advisory time Student-led conferences (attended by 93% of families) Organizational Support Multi-tiered Response to Intervention in place Highly productive Professional Learning Communities (Teams and Departments) Principal in year 3 of Master Principal Academy Administrative support for teacher professional development

South 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 David McDonald, Ph.D. dmcdonald@greenville.k12.sc.us Participating Organizations South Carolina Association for Middle-Level Education 225 Gardenwalk Drive West Columbia, SC 29170 Phone: 803-261-6117 E-mail: tina.jamison@scamle.org State Website: www.scamle.org Joined National STW Program in 2006 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions South Carolina Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Batesburg-Leesville Middle School (2020) Beck International Academy (2020) Blue Ridge Middle School (2023) Blythewood Middle School (2008) Camden Middle School (2019) Campobello Gramling School (2014) Carolina Springs Middle School 2027 (2023) Castle Heights Middle School (2011) CE Williams Middle School, South Campus (2018) Chapin Middle School (2017) College Park Middle School (2011) Crayton Middle School (2017) Cyril B Busbee Creative Arts Academy (2021) Dent Middle School (2021) Dr. Phinnize J. Fisher Middle School (2022) Dutchman Creek Middle School (2013) Fort Mill Middle School (2026) Greenville Middle Academy (2024) H.E. McCracken Middle School (2015) Hand Middle School (2024) Landrum Middle School (2015) League Academy for Communication Arts (2011) Leavelle McCampbell Middle School (2023) Leslie M. Stover Middle School (2022) Lewisville Middle School (2026) Lugoff-Elgin Middle School (2007) Mabry Middle School (2011) Mauldin Middle School (2026) Mid-Carolina Middle School (2017) Muller Road Middle School (2020) New Ellenton STEAM Middle School (2024) North Central Middle School (2023) Northwest Middle School (2021) Northwood Middle School (2022) Oakbrook Middle School (2026) Palmetto Middle School (2008) R. H. Fulmer Middle School (2012) Ralph Chandler Middle (2021) Riverside Middle School (2019) Royal Live Oaks Middle School (2025) Sevier Middle School (2020) South Middle School (2013) Springfield Middle School (2016) St. James Middle School (2015) Summit Parkway Middle School (2025) White Knoll Middle School (2026) Woodmont Middle School (2024)

Arkansas 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 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 2027 Application Instructions Arkansas Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Alma Middle School (2023) Ardis Ann Middle School (2020) Brookland Middle School (2011) Butterfield Trail Middle School (2011) Cabot Middle School North (2008) Cabot Middle School South (2012) Crossett Middle School (2013) Elmwood Middle School (2019) Greenbrier Middle School (2017) Helen Tyson Middle School (2008) Hellstern Middle School (2012) Holt Middle School (2017) J.O. Kelly Middle School (2008) McNair Middle School (2009) Old High Middle School (2017) Owl Creek School (2013) Ramay Junior High School (2018) Ruth Barker Middle School (2018) Sonora Middle School (2021) Vilonia Middle School (2012) Woodland Junior High School (2017)

Texas 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. Joe Coleman coleman@tassp.org Participating Organizations TASSP 305 East Huntland STE 300 Austin, TX 78752 512.443.2100 ext. 8505 Fax: 512.442.3343 Website: tassp.org Joined National STW Program in 2010 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions Texas Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Acton Middle School (2017) Angleton Junior High School (2025) Ann M.Garcia-Enriquez Middle School (2024) Armando Chapa Middle School (2011) Atlanta Middle School (2020) Austin Middle School Stem Magnet (2020) B.L. Gray Junior High School (2019) Bernarda Jaime Jr. High (2024) Berry Miller Junior High School (2019) Beverly Hills Intermediate School (2014) Bill Sybert School (2022) C.W. Worthington Middle School (2025) Capt. Mark T. Voss Middle School (2022) Central Heights Middle School (2024) Chisholm Trail Middle School (2011) Chisolm Trail Middle School (2026) Chisum Middle School (2026) Clint Junior High School (2024) Coakley Middle School (2026) Cockrill Middle School (2015) Col. John Ensor Middle School (2021) Colleyville Middle School (2020) Crockett Middle School (2026) Danny Jones Middle School (2019) Decker Middle School (2017) Dolph Briscoe Middle School (2026) Earnesteen Milstead Middle School (2021) Eastlake Middle School (2026) El Campo Middle School (2025) Elliott Grant Middle School (2026) Elmer G. Bondy Intermediate School (2021) Fort Settlement Middle School (2020) Foster Middle School (2026) Freeport Intermediate School (2020) Gene Pike Middle School (2012) George A. Thompson Intermediate School (2025) Granbury Middle School (2024) Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy (2024) Haltom Middle School (2020) Harwood Junior High School (2017) Hillwood Middle School (2015) Homer J. Morris Middle School (2026) Horizon Middle School (2024) Hudson Bend Middle School (2014) Hurshel Antwine Middle School (2025) Hurst Junior High School (2019) Judson STEAM Academy (2021) Kenneth White Jr. High (2025) Liberty Hill Middle School (Intermediate) (2020) Lincoln Middle School (2023) Lone Oak Middle School (2011) Lonnie B. Keller Middle School (2015) Marshall Kendrick Middle School (2023) McMeans Junior High School (2015) Melillo Middle School (2017) Melissa Middle School (2016) Midway Middle School (2020) Montwood Middle School (2024) Morris Middle School (2022) Murphy Middle School (2014) New Boston Middle School (2024) Park View Intermediate School (2024) Parkland Pre-Engineering Middle School (2022) R. O'Hara Lanier Middle School (2021) Ricardo Estrada Middle School (2020) Rogers Middle School (2020) Sabine Middle School (2024) Salvador H. Sanchez Middle School (2023) San Jacinto Intermediate School (2022) Schimelpfenig Middle School (2019) Scoggins Middle School (2017) Scott Morgan Johnson Middle School (2016) Seven Lakes Junior High School (2016) Sharyland North Junior High School (2016) Simon Middle School (2014) Socorro Middle School (2021) South Texas ISD Prep Academy (2012) South TX Rising Scholars Academy (2024) Specialist Rafael Hernando III Middle School (2017) SSG Manuel R. Puentes Middle School (2025) Sycamore Springs Middle School (2021) Timberview Middle School (2017) Trautmann Middle School (2019) Trent Middle School (2020) Trinity Springs Middle School (2020) Valley View Early College (2019) Venus Middle School (2026) Wayside Middle School (2024) William D. Slider Middle School (2021) WoodCreek Junior High School (2026) Woodgate Intermediate School (2020)

2023 Jefferson Middle School San Gabriel Unified School District Los Angeles County Christopher Guyer, Principal Enrollment: 899. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Wellness center with coordinator, MFT interns, workshops, mindfulness LTEL journalists produce school newsletters Electives from mock trial to robotics and music immersion ELA/math co-teaching inclusion for fluid groupings, equity, UDL, JIT supports Student-centered facilities: fitness lab, kitchen, writing center with student fellows

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 2027 Application Instructions Kentucky Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Adairville School (2004) Auburn Elementary School (2004) Ballyshannon Middle School (2024) Belfrey Middle School (2008) Benton Middle School Closed (2008) Boyd County Middle School (2007) Burns Middle School (2005) Chandler's Elementary School (2010) Crosby Middle School (2008) East Oldham Middle School (2010) Eastside Middle School (2008) Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School (2026) Garrard County Middle School (2017) James E. Bazzell Middle School (2008) James T. Alton Middle School (2008) Lebanon Middle School (2013) Leestown Middle School (2025) Lewisburg School (2018) Lloyd B. McGuffey 6th Gr Closed (2008) Mahaffey Middle School (2004) Mayfield Middle School (2017) Monroe County Middle School (2011) Mt. Washington Middle School (2010) Noe Middle School (2007) North Marshall Middle School (2015) North Middle School (2011) North Oldham Middle School (2007) North Washington Elementary School (2013) Northern Middle School (2005) Oldham County Middle School (2008) Olmstead Elementary School (2005) Rowan County Middle School (2017) Royal Spring Middle School (2013) South Oldham Middle School (2006) Spencer County Middle School (2018) Union County Middle School (2017) West Carter Middle School (2010)