In 1999, the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform began a national program to identify high-performing middle grades schools. The Schools To Watch program recognizes academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes in middle level education. The Commonwealth of Virginia joined the Schools to Watch program in 2003.
For an overview of the program, click here.
2022 Schools To Watch Award Recipients
|
We encourage schools across the Commonwealth to apply for consideration as a School To Watch! The deadline for new applications is September 15 each year. Principals and staff should spend the previous school year studying their school, completing the application and employing this process as part of an ongoing staff development program. You can find application information and materials below:
Schools that make application for, or obtain Schools to Watch credentials will need to be active members of VMSA. Selected schools will be featured in state and national publications and may be visited by educators seeking role models for good middle level instruction and support for students and staff. Schools will also participate in professional development and will serve as a standard for other schools using the Schools to Watch Criteria to guide school improvement and reform. If selected as a Schools to Watch, a team or representative must attend the National Schools to Watch Conference and the state VMSA Conference to accept an award and to present on best practices as a recognized Schools to Watch.