Jan 29, 2019 5 min read

In 2009, when the doors opened at a newly built middle school at the Bentworth School District, administrators began developing a program that would be appropriate for students in grades five through eight.

Over a six-year period, teachers and staff collaborated to improve academic and developmental outcomes for all students in the middle grades. In the process, teachers traveled to national and state conventions to gather information and resources they could apply to the school’s middle school program.

“First we worked on implementing the new middle school model, which involved having the teachers work in teams,” said middle school principal Dave Schreiber. “We also implemented a flexible block schedule without class bells to teach the four key subjects – language arts, social studies, math and science, and worked on integrating the curriculum of these subjects. Finally we started a teacher-based advisory program and guidance class for each student.”

With the newly implemented elements in place, the school applied for PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “Schools to Watch” recognition, in 2015. The prestigious honor is granted by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades.

Once a team of educators, researchers, and officers of professional organizations reviewed the school’s application, the next step was to have a team visit the school. While there, the team of approximately 10 professionals observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students, and parents, and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons and student work. On its first attempt to get the Schools to Watch recognition, Bentworth Middle School’s efforts were successful.

“We waited to apply until we felt we had a solid program,” said Schreiber.

“Schools to Watch” requires schools not just to identify strengths, but also to focus on areas for continuous improvement over a three-year period after which the school is eligible for redesignation.

“During the three-year period we had to be on an upward trajectory of student achievement (to qualify for redesignation),” Schreiber said.

“One of the areas we focused on was the raising of student Pennsylvania System of School Assessment scores. We also implemented a partial hospitalization program to support students with significant mental health issues.”

The partial hospitalization program provides intensive treatment similar to that available on an inpatient unit, but in a less restrictive, community-based setting. This short-term, intensive level of care allows adolescents to benefit from consistent, structured treatment while maintaining their usual living arrangements.

“Finally, we started a school-wide positive behavior intervention and support program, which helps build a positive learning climate in the school,” Schreiber said.

On Oct. 28, after Bentworth administrators reapplied for a redesignation as a School to Watch, another team of about 10 revisited the school to conduct an evaluation. They spent the entire day at the school, looking for improvements to the middle school program.

Along with three other Pennsylvania schools recognized three years ago – South Fayette Middle School and Wilson West Middle School and Wilson Southern Middle School, both in Sinking Spring, Bentworth was recognized for the redesignation this year. On Feb. 24, these schools will be recognized at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education State Conference at the Penn State Conference Center in State College.

They will also be recognized nationally with all the other recognized STW schools across the country in Washington, D.C., at the National Schools to Watch Conference on June 27-29.

“We are pleased that our Schools to Watch program has shown that schools can meet high academic expectations while preserving a commitment of healthy development and equity for all students,” said Ericka Uskali, National Forum Executive Director. “These Schools to Watch are indeed special; they make education so exciting that students and teachers don’t want to miss a day. These schools have proven that it is possible to overcome barriers to achieving excellence, and any middle-level school in any state can truly learn from their examples.”

Twenty years ago, the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform developed criteria to find out what an exemplary middle school would be like. Using characteristics based on research and practice, forum members came to believe that three things are true of high-performing middle-grades schools: They are academically excellent (challenging all students to use their minds well); developmentally responsive (sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence); and socially equitable, providing every student with high-quality teachers, resources, and support.

Currently 17 states with more than 480 schools recognized across the country participate in the Schools to Watch program. “Although the designation comes with no monetary reward, it does give the school and its community a huge sense of pride,” Uskali said. “It also gives schools the opportunity to mentor others that may be struggling. As they share their knowledge, they learn from the other schools as well.”

Currently, Schreiber said Bentworth Middle School is in the process of reviewing the latest feedback from the national forum and putting together a program that will allow it to continue to improve.

“Our STW achievement is all about our teachers and staff working diligently to meet the needs of our students,” he said.