The Kentucky Schools to Watch program is an ideal platform for watching and recognizing Kentucky middle schools that grow and achieve as they strive toward a focused mission of high expectations for all students. These schools are committed to promoting the academic performance and healthy development of young adolescents. The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades/Schools to Watch program promotes high-performing middle grades concepts including rigor, relevance and relationships. This program mirrors my vision for Kentucky schools and the Kentucky Department of Education's Refocusing Secondary Initiative. We are striving for schools to make the connections between middle level and high school and to realize the importance of the relationships while presenting a relevant, rigorous curriculum. Schools to Watch in Kentucky has named thirteen schools over the past four years that implement exemplary practices in meeting the needs of students in the middle grades.
We are so proud of the schools that have been named in the last four years.
In 2005: F. T. Burns Middle School, Owensboro, Daviess County Public Schools; Northern Pulaski Middle School, Somerset, Pulaski County Public Schools, and Olmstead Elementary School, Olmstead, Logan County Public Schools.
In 2006: Crosby Middle School, Louisville, Jefferson County Public Schools; J.T. Alton Middle School, Vine Grove, Hardin County Public Schools; and South Oldham Middle School, Crestwood, Oldham County Public Schools.
In 2007: Adairville School, Adairville, Logan County Public Schools (redesignated school), Boyd County Middle School, Ashland, Boyd County Public Schools, Noe Middle School, Louisville, Jefferson County Public Schools and North Oldham Middle School, Crestwood, Oldham County Public Schools.
This year, 2008: Belfry Middle School, Benton Middle School, Eastside Middle School, F. T. Burns Middle School (re-designated school), James Bazzell Middle School, Lloyd McGuffey Sixth Grade Center, Northern Pulaski Middle School (re-designated school), Oldham County Middle School, Olmstead Middle School (re-designated school).
Schools across Kentucky are implementing successful practices and deserve the honor of becoming a Schools To Watch School. The Kentucky Schools to Watch program identifies, watches, supports and recognizes middle schools with diverse student populations who are well on the road to implementing the middle school vision and concept. The Center for Middle School Academic Achievement will be sending out a mailing to all middle schools outlining the application criteria and process soon. You may also visit their website at www.middleschoolhouse.eku.edu . Please encourage the principals in your district to watch for this mailing and to consider applying to be part of Kentucky's Schools to Watch Program.
The Kentucky Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform (a partnership that includes the Kentucky Department of Education, the Center for Middle School Academic Achievement, the Kentucky Middle School Association, the Collaborative for Teaching and Learning, higher education institutions, educational cooperatives, and local school leadership) is pleased to continue to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of the middle schools in Kentucky.