Virginia Middle School Association

Schools to Watch

The deadline for new applications or re-designation applications is September 15th of each year.

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.

Apply for Schools to Watch

We encourage schools across the Commonwealth to apply for consideration as a School To Watch! 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.

Virginia Schools to Watch Application (2025 – 2026)
Schools that make application for, or obtain Schools to Watch credentials must be active members of the Virginia Middle School Association.

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 Virginia Middle School Association Conference to accept an award and to present on best practices as a recognized Schools to Watch.

Schools to Watch Directors

Have questions about the Schools to Watch program? Reach out to our Schools to Watch directors for support! Contact one or both of our Schools to Watch directors for more information or guidance.

Mychael Willon
Mychael Willon
[email protected]
Logan Childress
Logan Childress
[email protected]

Schools to Watch in Virginia

Explore the Schools to Watch list, a showcase of current and past Schools to Watch, complete with their years of designation. Explore the legacy of excellence in education in Virginia!

SchoolDesignationYearsRegionCounty
Andrew Lewis Middle SchoolRe-Designation I2016, 20226Salem City Public Schools
Bailey Bridge Middle SchoolRe-Designation I2017, 20201Chesterfield County Public Schools
Belmont Ridge Middle SchoolRe-Designation IV2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 20224Loudoun County Public Schools
Brambleton Middle SchoolNew Designation20234Loudoun County Public Schools
Blue Ridge Middle SchoolRe-Designation IV2008, 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 20244Loudoun County Public Schools
Bull Run Middle SchoolRe-Designation III2008, 2011, 2014, 20184Prince William County Public Schools
Eagle Ridge Middle SchoolRe-Designation V2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 20234Loudoun County Public Schools
E.H. Marstellar MSRe-Designation IV2005, 2008, 2012, 2017, 20224Prince William County Public Schools
Elizabeth Davis Middle SchoolRe-Designation I2019, 20231Chesterfield County Public Schools
Elkton Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2016, 2019, 20235Rockingham County Public Schools
Farmwell Station Middle SchoolRe-Designation V2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 20234Loudoun County Public Schools
Gainesville Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2011, 2014, 20174Prince William County Public Schools
Glenvar Middle SchoolRe-Designation I2016, 2019, 20246Roanoke County Public Schools
Harmony Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2014, 2017, 2020, 20244Loudoun County Public Schools
Harper Park Middle SchoolRe-Designation IV2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 20234Loudoun County Public Schools
Herbert J. Saunders Middle SchoolRe-Designation IV2004, 2007, 2010, 2015, 20194Prince William County Public Schools
Hickory Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2015, 2018, 20222Chesapeake City Public Schools
Hidden Valley Middle SchoolRe-Designation IV2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 20236Roanoke County Public Schools
J. Lupton Simpson Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2016, 2019, 20234Loudoun County Public Schools
J. Michael Lunsford Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2015, 2018, 20224Loudoun County Public Schools
Lake Ridge High SchoolRe-Designation I2014, 20194Prince William County Public Schools
Mary G. Porter Traditional SchoolRe-Designation III2010, 2013, 2016, 20204Prince William County Public Schools
Mercer Middle SchoolRe-Designation III2012, 2015, 2018, 20224Loudoun County Public Schools
Midlothian Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2016, 2019, 20231Chesterfield County Public Schools
Montevideo Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2016, 2019, 20235Rockingham County Public Schools
Northside Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2014, 2017, 20226Roanoke County Public Schools
Philip Michael Pennington Traditional SchoolRe-Designation II2011, 2014, 20174Prince William County Public Schools
Powhatan Middle SchoolDesignation I20221Powhatan County Public Schools
Providence Middle SchoolDesignation I20201Chesterfield County Public Schools
Rachel Carson Middle SchoolRe-Designation V2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2020, 20244Fairfax County Public Schools
River Bend Middle SchoolRe-Designation IV2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 20234Loudoun County Public Schools
Robious Middle SchoolRe-Designation I2017, 2020, 20241Chesterfield County Public Schools
Seneca Ridge Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2015, 2018, 20224Loudoun County Public Schools
Short Pump Middle SchoolRe-Designation III2008, 2011, 2015, 20181Henrico County Public Schools
Smart’s Mill Middle SchoolRe-Designation IV2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2022, 20254Loudoun County Public Schools
St. Clare-Walker Middle SchoolRe-Designation IV2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 20233Middlesex County Public Schools
Sterling Middle SchoolRe-Designation III2012, 2016, 2019, 20234Loudoun County Public Schools
Stone Hill Middle SchoolRe-Designation III2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 20254Loudoun County Public Schools
Swift Creek Middle SchoolRe-Designation I2017, 2020, 20241Chesterfield County Public Schools
Tomahawk Creek Middle SchoolRe-Designation II2016, 2019, 20231Chesterfield County Public Schools
Trailside Middle SchoolDesignated I2018, 20224Loudoun County Public Schools
West Point Middle SchoolRe-Designation I2016, 20203West Point Public Schools
Western Branch Middle SchoolRe-Designation I2018, 20222Chesapeake City Public Schools
Willard Middle SchoolNew Designation20234Loudoun County Public Schools
William Byrd Middle SchoolRe-Designation I2016, 20196Roanoke County Public Schools
Woodbridge Middle SchoolRe-Designation IV2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 20224Prince William County Public Schools