Chartiers Valley Middle School named ‘School to Watch’
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Chartiers Valley Middle School has been named a PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “Schools to Watch.”
The designation recognizes the level of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes at the school.
“What an honor to be recognized for our outstanding team and their commitment to helping all students at the middle school level,” Chartiers Valley Superintendent Johannah Vanatta said.
Chartiers Valley Middle School joins nine other schools across Pennsylvania in earning the recognition. Each school displays strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.
In October, the Schools To Watch team leaders visited Chartiers Valley Middle School and talked with building leaders, teachers, students, and parents. The team also observed classrooms and examined achievement data, quality of lessons and student work.
“The application process was very thorough, making the recognition even more exciting. The team from Schools To Watch looked at many different aspects of CVMS and selected us among the ten best in PA—it’s truly an amazing honor,” Michele Welter, middle school principal, said.
In addition to the visit, school officials submitted a written application demonstrating how they met the Schools To Watch criteria.
The recognition is a program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association for Middle-Level Education, Duquesne University, Edinboro University, Kutztown University and the Horace Mann Service Corp.
Chartiers Valley Middle School will be recognized at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle-Level Educations State Conference in February, and nationally with all the other recognized schools from across the country in Washington, D.C., in June.
Schools are recognized for three years, and at the end of that period, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals to be redesignated. Schools to Watch requires schools not just to identify strengths but also to focus on areas for continuous improvement. The redesignation process is based on the school’s continued growth since its last recognition.
Donald H. Eichhorn (1932-2001) was a health and physical education teacher, principal and school district superintendent in Lewisburg. His landmark Drash Medical Study has provided evidence that youth between 10 and 14 years of age have unique physical characteristics, and his internationally recognized model for instruction is the framework for the middle school and the criteria as represented in the Schools to Watch award.
For more information, visit www.pamle.org.