Ohio Schools to Watch (OSTW)

Ohio Schools to Watch Reaching for the Stars is a program that seeks to recognize diverse, high-performing, growth-oriented middle level schools to demonstrate what all middle level schools are capable of achieving.

Background

Schools to Watch® is an initiative launched by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform in 1999. Through the Schools to Watch initiative, the National Forum identifies schools across the United States that are well on their way to meeting the Forum's FOUR CRITERIA for high-performing, middle level schools.

  • Academic Excellence
  • Developmental Responsiveness
  • Social Equity
  • Organizational Structures and Processes

If you believe your school is a model for others and is on the move toward success that supports middle level school reform, we encourage you to examine the School Self-Study and Rating Rubric, located below, and apply to be an Ohio School to Watch. All schools considering application should contact Dennis Haft prior to beginning the OSTW application process. 
 

Eligibility requirements:

The OSTW program seeks high-performing, public middle grades schools in Ohio that are constantly "on the move" toward higher achievement of all students. School must satisfy the following minimum eligibility requirements to apply to be an OSTW:

  1. Contain at least one of the following grade levels within the school: grades 6, 7 or 8.
  2. On the most recent building report card the school must earn a "3-Star" or better on the Achievement, Progress, or Gap Closing component. 

Pre-application Resources 

Interested but still curious?

Current Ohio Schools to Watch (OSTW) continuously opened their doors to invite Ohio middle level educators and community members to learn and share practices that impact school improvement in grades six through nine. 

Your school can become an Ohio School to Watch! 
Application Deadline: October 16

Last Modified: 4/10/2023 10:34:30 AM