New Century Middle School has been named a “School to Watch” by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform through the NC Schools to Watch program and the NC Association for Middle-Level Education, joining an elite group of middle schools nationwide recognized for their academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures supporting continuous improvement. The school district made the announcement on Tuesday.
The Schools to Watch designation identifies and celebrates middle-grade schools that meet rigorous criteria for excellence. Schools selected for this honor demonstrate:
● Outstanding academic excellence, where all students are challenged to use their minds well
● Strong developmental responsiveness to the unique needs and interests of early adolescents
● Committed to social equity, ensuring every student has access to high-quality classes and the support they need to achieve at high levels
● Organizational structures that support continuous improvement and maintain high-performance outcomes
The selection process involved a comprehensive evaluation of the school’s practices, including:
● Detailed written applications
● Site visits by state teams
● Interviews with administrators, teachers, students, and parents
● Review of student achievement data
● Assessment of school policies and practices
New Century Middle School will be recognized at the National Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C., joining other middle-grade schools from across the country. The school will hold this designation for three years and can apply for re-designation to maintain its status as a School to Watch.
Feature photo: New Century Middle School Principal Kimberly Coe during her announcement of the school’s initial designation at a pep rally on Feb. 13.
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