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

Colorado 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 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 2027 Application Instructions Colorado Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Altona Middle School (2011) Basalt Middle School (2012) Brentwood Middle School (2019) Centennial Middle School (2017) Corwin International Magnet School (2013) Flagstaff Academy (2019) Fountain Middle School (2021) Grand Valley Middle School (2016) Jenkins Middle School (2011) Lesher Middle School (2014) Longs Peak Middle School (2017) Mountain Vista Community School (2025) Polaris Expeditionary Learning School (2016) Prairie Heights Middle School (2026) Preston Middle School (2016) 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)

2017-2018 Helen Tyson Middle School 2017-2018 SCHOOL STATISTICS Designated in 2008 Re-Designated in 2011,2014,2018 Demographics Hispanic 51% White 30% African American 3% Asian 3% Native American 1% Pacific Islander 13% Filipino 0% Two or More 0% Other 0% School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Academic Excellence Foundational to our success is to set expectations for high student academic achievement. Communicating daily/weekly in a clear manner to both students and parents, displaying exemplar samples of student work when teachers model expectations for daily lessons and assessments, and providing rubrics to students which set the standard of excellence and expectations for performance. Staff use multiple points of data to provide support and intervention to their students. Layers of a variety of supports for students and staff members including English Language Arts, English Language Learners, and Math. After school scholars program, before and after school opportunities as well as 21st CLC is available for all students. Prime Time is the glue that holds all supports together, combining the affective and academic needs. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are focused on student improvement. All students held to high expectations including English Language Learners (ELLs) and Special Education Students who are taught grade level standards. English Language Development (ELD) program is crucial to the needs of our ELLs and migrant students. Our staff encourages students to participate in programs such as ACT Honors Challenge and Duke TIP. All students receive personalized learning. Developmental Responsiveness At the heart of Responsiveness is communication. There is a consistent whole-student focus. Service learning opportunities for all students are available to give back in a variety different clubs. Teaming has led to the development of strong student-teacher bonding and close, respectful relationships between and among students and the adults. We have strong partnerships with outside agencies. A variety of club offerings are available for students. Students are provided with multiple opportunities for leadership avenues and the administration is open to students’ ideas including CREW and LEAD. Teachers offer opportunities for student voice in day to day learning. Family nights are well-attended and are focused on different themes such as literacy and social studies, math and science, multicultural, sports, and movie night. Social Equity The cornerstone of Helen Tyson remaining an achieving school is how we assure that every student experiences a coherent and content-rich curriculum. In our district, “All means All”: All children will learn.This entails a solid education for “all” student within our building, regardless of the skill level they arrive with. Guest speakers, student led performances and others in the community are utilized to enhance academics. The Dynamic program focuses on Balfanz research to proactively target students in specific areas such as attendance, grades, and discipline. Cultural diversity is ingrained in the school climate. Students have a voice and feel heard, acknowledged, and respected. Incoming students are provided orientation to ensure a smooth and orderly transition to the middle school. Curricular decisions are made based on the diverse needs of our students. Faculty and administration are involved in teaching a Prime Time as well as interventions. Organizational Support The cornerstone of Helen Tyson remaining an achieving school is how we assure that every student experiences a coherent and content-rich curriculum. In our district, “All means All”: All children will learn.This entails a solid education for “all” student within our building, regardless of the skill level they arrive with. Master schedule indicates blocking for maximum instructional strategies and use of time. Teachers meet consistently in data driven PLC’s. Student-focused transition systems are in place and parents reported a welcoming enrollment process that is family oriented. Student leaders can be the teachers in classes. Community partners are alive and well in our school including the University of Arkansas, profit and nonprofit organizations and cultural leaders in the city. The leaders and staff have a spirit of continuous improvement and reflection.

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

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 Riverview School Kings Canyon Unified School District Fresno County Josh Darnell, Principal Enrollment: 460. Grade Levels: K-8. School Characteristics and Replicable Practices Flexible intervention program Successful, focused reading program PBIS implementation SEL lessons for staff and students Writing across the curriculum

Become a member of the National Forum. Available to all Schools to Watch and potential STWs. 2023 Schools to Watch New Schools to Watch Share the Press Release Arkansas Alma Middle School Indiana Plainfield Community Middle School Thomas Jefferson Middle School North Carolina Smithfield Middle School New York Cuba-Rushford Middle School Marlboro Middle School Wantagh Middle School Pennsylvania Chartiers Valley Middle School Deer Lakes Middle School Wendover Middle School South Carolina Blue Ridge Middle School Carolina Springs Middle School Leavelle McCampbell Middle School North Central Middle School Texas Lincoln Middle School Marshall Kendrick Middle School Salvador H. Sanchez Middle School Virginia Brambleton Middle School Willard Middle School California Adams Middle School Alpha: Cornerstone Academy Preparatory Alta Loma Junior High School Amino Florence-Firestone Middle School Bernice Harrell Chipman Junior High Coalinga Middle School College Preparatory Middle School Don Juan Avila Middle School E.O. Green Jr. High School East Avenue Middle School El Rancho Charter School Ellen Fletcher Middle School Hollencrest Middle School Hosler Middle School ICEF Vista Middle Academy James Workman Middle School Jefferson Middle School Kolb Middle School March Middle School Melva Davis Academy of Excellence Nellie Coffman Middle School Oxford Preparatory Academy - Saddleback Valley Oxford Preparatory Academy - South Orange County Palm Desert Charter Middle Pleasant View West School Portola Middle School Prairie Vista Middle School Riverview School Robert C. Fisler School Shoreline Middle School The STEAM Academy @ Burke Thomas Law Reed School Vineyard Junior High School Vista View Middle School William Mendenhall Middle School Yorba Middle School Redesignating Schools to Watch Arkansas Cabot Middle School North - R5 Greenbrier Middle School - R2 Holt Middle School - R2 J.O. Kelly Middle School - R4 Woodland Junior High School - R2 C olorado Centennial Middle School - R2 Corwin International Magnet School - R3 Westview Middle School - R2 Georgia Lee Middle School - R3 Upson-Lee Middle School - R6 Illinois Century Junior High - R1 Evergreen Academy Middle School - R4 Hadley Junior High - R1 Libby Elementary and Middle School - R4 Little Village Academy - R4 London Middle School - R4 Westmont Junior High - R1 Indiana Ben Franklin Middle School - R1 IPS Center for Inquiry 84 - R1 Northridge Middle School - R2 Rochester Middle School - R3 Tri-West Middle School - R5 Kentucky Mayfield Middle School - R2 Olmstead School - R6 North Carolina Carmel Middle School - R6 Harold E. Winkler Middle School - R1 Hendersonville Middle School - R4 Jay M. Robinson Middle School - R6 Piedmont Open IB Middle School - R4 Rogers-Herr Middle School - R5 West Pine Middle School - R5 New Jersey Belhaven Middle School - R3 Black River Middle School - R4 Byram Middle School - R1 Randolph Middle School - R1 New York A.D. Oliver Middle School - R1 Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School - R4 Cosgrove Middle School - R2 Garden City Middle School - R4 Island Trees Memorial Middle School - R1 Jonas E. Salk Middle School - R1 Memorial Junior High School - R2 Plainedge Middle School - R1 Ohio Bellbrook Middle School - R3 George G. Dodge Intermediate School - R1 Pennsylv ania Boyce Middle School - R5 Fort Couch Middle School - R5 Garnet Valley Middle Sch ool - R2 Northley Middle School - R3 Ryan Gloyer Middle School - R4 Schuylkill Valley Middle School - R3 Springton Lake Middle School - R2 California Alondra Middle School - R3 Alta Sierra Intermediate School - R5 Alvarado Intermediate School - R6 Arlie F. Hutchinson Middle School - R1 Carmenita Middle School - R3 Chaparral Middle School - R2 Clifton Middle School - R2 Creekview Ranch School K-8 - R1 Dartmouth Middle School - R4 El Segundo Middle School - R1 Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School - R3 General Grant Middle School - R1 Hall Middle School - R1 Haskell STEM Academy - R2 Hawthorne Middle School - R2 Heber School - R3 Huron Middle School - R2 John F. Kennedy Middle School - R6 Kastner Intermediate School - R5 La Canada Middle School (7-12) - R3 La Paz Intermediate School - R4 Landmark Middle School - R2 Leona Jackson Middle School - R3 Los Alisos STEM Magnet Middle School - R1 Louis D. Armstrong Middle School - R5 Mountain View Middle School (Beaumont) - R1 Rancho Milpitas Middle School - R6 Rancho-Starbuck Intermediate School - R2 Ray Wiltsey Middle School - R1 Ross Academy of Creative and Media Arts - R2 San Gorgonio Middle School - R2 Silverado Middle School - R6 South Pointe Middle School - R2 Sunnymead Middle School - R2 Suzanne Middle School - R2 Tetzlaff Accelerated Learning Academy - R3 Thomas Hart Middle School - R1 Torch Middle School - R3 Twin Rivers Charter School - R1 Vista Verde Middle School - R4 Washington Academic Middle School - R4 South Carolina Batesburg-Leesville Middle School - R1 Beck International Academy - R1 Blythewood Middle School - R5 Campobello Gramling School - R3 Castle Heights Middle School - R4 Chapin Middle - R2 Crayton Middle School - R2 H.E. McCracken Middle School - R2 League Academy for Communication Arts - R4 Mid-Carolina Middle School - R2 Muller Road Middle - R1 Palmetto Middle School - R5 Riverside Middle School - R1 Sevier Middle School - R1 Texas Atlanta Middle School - R1 Beverly Hills Intermediate School - R3 Colleyville Middle School - R1 Ft. Settlement Middle School - R1 Haltom Middle School - R1 Harwood Junior High School - R2 Lone Oak Middle School - R4 Melillo Middle School - R2 Ricardo Estrada Middle School - R1 Roberts Middle School - R1 Rogers Middle School - R1 Sharyland North Junior High School - R2 Utah Kearns Junior High - R4 Milford High School - R1 Virgi nia Eagle Ridgle Middle School - R5 Elizabeth Davis Middle School - R1 Elkton Middle School - R2 Farmwell Station Middle School - R5 Harper Park Middle School - R4 Hidden Valley Middle School - R4 J. Lupton Simpson Middle School - R2 Midlothian Middle School - R2 Montevideo Middle School - R2 River Bend Middle School - R4 St. Clare-Walker Middle School - R4 Sterling Middle School - R3 Tomahawk Creek Middle School - R2 Become a STW Mission The mission of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform is to unite key stakeholders to speak with a common voice to leverage research, policy, leadership, and replicable practices to drive middle grades reform. 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. Membership The National Forum Membership is open to individuals and individuals approved by an organization. Three membership levels are offered with benefits, responsibilities and annual dues for each level. Join Today! Frequently asked questions What types of membership are available? There are two types of membership: • Contributing Member (Individual) : $69 • Institutional Member (School) : $99/year or $275/3-years What is the renewal schedule for Memberships? Membership renewals occur on the date of the initial enrollment. For Institutional Memberships, schools have the option of selecting a one-year ($99) or a three-year ($275) Institutional Membership. What is Institutional Membership in the National Forum? Institutional Membership with the Forum is a whole-school designation available to schools that believe in and support the mission and vision of the Forum and that include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Why must a school have one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 to apply for Institutional Membership? Grades 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 comprise the middle grades, and the vast majority of young adolescents (those students aged 10-15) are in these grades. Since the middle grades and young adolescents are the foci of the Forum’s work, it made sense that the Forum should limit (at least initially) Institutional Membership to those schools with one or more of the middle grades. Can schools that are not Schools to Watch be granted Institutional Membership? Yes, but they must believe in and support the Mission and Vision of the Forum and include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Can schools that are not eligible to be designated as Schools to Watch be granted Institutional Membership? Yes, but they must believe in and support the Mission and Vision of the Forum and include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. How is the Forum’s Institutional Membership different from its other memberships? Institutional Membership differs in several ways from currently existing memberships (Contributing Memberships and Advocating Memberships): • First, Institutional Membership is a whole-school membership while the Forum’s two other memberships are for individuals only. • Second, the Institutional Membership targets schools that believe in the Forum’s Mission and Vision and have one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9; Contributing and Advocating Memberships are for individuals who may or may not be in a School to Watch but who wish to be more active and involved in the Forum’s effort to “accelerate middle grades reform”. • Third, the Institutional Membership category provides the Forum with a mechanism to engage and communicate with a broader constituency of middle-level practitioners (nationally and internationally) than do the existing membership classifications. What are the benefits of being an Institutional Member? The benefits of being an Institutional Member include: • The personal satisfaction of supporting the Forum in its efforts to speak with a common voice to leverage research, policy, leadership, and replicable practices to drive middle grades reform (being part of a “movement”) • Opportunities to give back to the profession (paying it forward) • Periodic reports on Forum projects to accelerate middle-grades reform • Special rates for Forum-sponsored activities • Access to all Forum publications, reports, and white papers • Access to a national network of middle-level schools that shares a common philosophy, mission, and vision. Is it possible for one person to have both a Contributing Membership and an Institutional Membership? Technically no, since Institutional Membership is available only to an eligible school and not to an individual. That being said, a person could be both a Contributing Member and a member of a school with an Institutional Membership. Must a School to Watch become an Institutional Member? Not at this time, but given the benefits of membership it is highly recommended that every School to Watch be an Institutional Member of the Forum. Can other than public schools be Institutional Members? Yes, as long as they believe in and support the Mission and Vision of the Forum and that include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Can an organization other than a school (e.g., philanthropic organization and state organization) have an Institutional Membership? No. Institutional Memberships are only for schools that believe in and support the Mission and Vision of the Forum and include one or more of the following grades – 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Become a member today! Join

Illinois 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 John Viano jviano13@gmail.com Kristina Falbe horizonstw@gmail.com Participating Organizations Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools (AIMS) P.O. Box 5144 Naperville, IL 60567 Email: jviano13@gmail.com State Website: www.aimsnetwork.org Joined National STW Program in 2003 Schools to Watch Application 2027 Application Instructions Illinois Schools to Watch (Initial Designation Year) Antioch Upper Grade School (2024) Arthur A Libby Elementary & Middle School (2009) Barrington Middle School Prairie Campus (2020) Century Junior High (2018) Clifford Crone Middle School (2012) Cooper Middle School (2018) Emerson Middle School (2009) Evergreen Academy Middle School (2009) Field Middle School (2006) Germantown Hills Middle School (2024) Gordon Gregory Middle School (2009) Granger Middle School (2003) Hadley Junior High School (2018) Hickory Creek Middle School (2009) Highland Middle School (2015) Hill Middle School (2006) Indian Creek Middle School (2003) Jack London Middle School (2009) Kaneland Harter Middle School (2012) Little Village Elementary (2009) Mannheim Middle School (2020) Mattoon Middle School (2006) Monticello Middle School (2012) Nathan S. Davis Dual Language School (2015) Old Quarry Middle School (2020) Olympia Middle School (2018) Plano Middle School (2022) Sam Rotolo Middle School (2006) Stevenson Middle School (2018) Still Middle School (2022) West Oak Middle School (2022) Westmont Junior High (2018) Winston Campus Middle School (2024)

2025 National Schools To Watch Conference Featuring Rochelle Wilson, Jonathan Alsheimer, and Dr. Martinrex Kedziora June 26-28, 2025 IT WAS SO GREAT TO SEE YOU! Thanks for joining the National Forum and your fellow Schools to Watch in D.C.! Photobooth Pictures (Passcode: 06262025) See all your Whova photos

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

2021 Schools To Watch Virtual Conference Featuring Dr. Anthony Muhammad June 22-24 & 29-30, 2021 VIRTUAL SCHOOLS TO WATCH AWARD CELEBRATIONS You are invited to watch the first-ever virtual Schools to Watch Award Celebrations ! Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRDcYzyOzlY North Carolina, Virginia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8Q7ffmqaaI California (2020 Schools) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8d1zJGFMztg California (2021 Schools) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MX0cuc4mVM Georgia, Indiana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_oSX2l4k1c Texas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXG0cu4bVC8 Colorado, Utah, Arkansas, Illinois https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXT8mHDI5jw Pennsylvania, South Carolina https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMKtsz4zl30

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