In 1999 the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform began a national program to identify high performing middle grades schools. The Forum (www.mgforum.org]) developed criteria for identifying these schools to examine academic excellence, response to needs of middle grades learners, social equity, and organizational processes and support to sustain success.

In the summer of 2003, a team of middle level education leaders was trained in the STW selection process after Virginia Middle School Association and Virginia Department of Education had their application selected. The partnership between VMSA and DOE remains strong, and both are committed to the success of the Schools to Watch Program. During the first year of Virginia Schools to Watch four schools were selected as STW. Links to these schools are available on the "VA STW Schools" link.

As of the spring 2008, seventeen states have been selected as Schools to Watch states, with a total of 135 schools honored by their selection as a School to Watch. Each of the schools completed a narrative and data based application, had the application screened by trained reviewers, and were visited by a team of trained middle grades leaders to determine the extent the school met the criteria in the four areas.

The designation of a school as one to watch acknowledges the efforts of the school community to develop and sustain excellence with, for, and in each member of the school community while exhibiting customary middle grades practices.

Schools To Watch in Virginia will be expected to be active members of VMSA and share their expertise by presentations and workshops at professional development sessions, by educating visitors on site, and by publication of information about their school. Local funding will be necessary to support these activities. Schools To Watch schools are expected to support the VMSA Annual Conference and the National STW conference with their expertise and participation. Finally, schools selected as STW will be expected to have a representative or representatives at the National STW Conference in June in Crystal City VA to receive their National recognition and interact with other STW from around the country.