East Texas middle schools encouraged to showcase work through Schools to Watch
Middle schools across East Texas are being encouraged to apply for a national recognition program designed to highlight campuses that are creating strong academic, social and developmental experiences for students. […]
Published 5:36 am Sunday, August 9, 2026By Jennifer Scott, Tyler Morning TelegraphMiddle schools across East Texas are being encouraged to apply for a national recognition program designed to highlight campuses that are creating strong academic, social and developmental experiences for students. The Schools to Watch designation recognizes outstanding middle-level schools that demonstrate excellence in four key areas: academic excellence, social equity, developmental responsiveness, and organizational processes and systems. Dr. Joe Coleman, Texas Schools to Watch director and associate executive director for middle-level services with the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals, said the program gives schools an opportunity to showcase the work happening on their campuses. “Schools to Watch recognizes the programs that principals and teachers put in place to ensure they provide middle school students with the best learning experiences while in the middle grades,” Coleman said. Unlike recognition programs that may focus primarily on achievement scores or overall campus ratings, Coleman said Schools to Watch evaluates the entire school environment, including student growth, demographics, discipline data, special education services, emergent bilingual programs, staff collaboration and efforts toward continuous improvement. “A school can qualify for this program without being an ‘A’ rated campus,” Coleman said. “A big part of the Schools to Watch program is continuous improvement. What is your focus? What systems did you put in place to improve?”Email newsletter signupColeman said the program is designed for schools from a variety of backgrounds, including campuses that serve large numbers of economically disadvantaged students. “We have a number of Title One schools in the state who have been recognized for the programs they put in place to make sure middle-level students and staff excel at the highest levels,” Coleman said. The Schools to Watch designation is open to middle-level campuses serving students in grades five through nine. Coleman said the program provides an opportunity for schools across a variety of grade configurations and communities to showcase the work they are doing to support students. The program’s selection process includes a written application based on criteria developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Schools that demonstrate they meet the criteria may receive a site visit from state teams, who observe classrooms, review achievement data and student work, and speak with administrators, teachers, students and parents. According to the organization, 22 schools were recognized in the state this past school year. Schools are recognized for a three-year period and must demonstrate continued progress to be redesignated. Schools earning the designation also become part of a state and national network of Schools to Watch campuses. Recognized schools are invited to participate in state and national conferences, where educators can share best practices and take part in professional development opportunities. Campuses receive recognition from the program through awards such as banners and plaques, and many are also recognized by their school districts and school boards for their achievement. “Recognized schools serve as model schools for other schools needing support,” Coleman said “[And] schools get recognized by an external group for (providing) excellence programs for middle grade students. ”In 2025, Foster Middle School in Longview ISD earned the Texas Schools to Watch designation, joining approximately 70 other campuses across the state with the recognition. The campus was recognized for its academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structures, as well as its commitment to continuous improvement. Coleman said East Texas schools are strong candidates for the program because many campuses are already providing students with meaningful opportunities — even if they do not always receive recognition for that work. “Many of the middle-level grade schools in East Texas provide outstanding programs for their students,” Coleman said. “However, they may not toot their own horns. ”Schools interested in applying for the current Schools to Watch cycle have until Aug. 31 to submit an application through the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals’ website atwww. tassp. org/schools-to-watch.