Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Students leave the cafeteria and head to class at the end of the lunch period Thursday at Beatty-Warren Middle School. A sign of the school’s success hangs near the main entrance.

Nine years and Beaty-Warren Middle School is still worth watching.

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education announced that Beaty is on its list of Schools to Watch for the fourth time.

Schools-to-Watch was launched in 1999 to identify and recognize middle level schools that meet or exceed a list of 37 research-based criteria, according to a release from the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform.

Beaty is one of 14 schools to be re-designated – one of three for a fourth three-year term.

“Being re-designated is an honor to know that our approach (education, curriculum, extra-curricular activities, and student engagement) is being recognized by outside evaluators as an exemplary model for other middle schools across the state and nation,” Principal Shannon Yeager said. “I am also very honored to continue moving Beaty forward along the path of excellence that was started by Mrs. Rhonda Decker when Beaty was first designated as a Schools to Watch in 2011.”

“PA Schools to Watch state leaders selected each school for its academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes,” according to the announcement. “In addition, each school has strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.”

Schools like Beaty submit a written application indicated how they met the criteria developed by the National Forum.

“Schools that appeared to meet the criteria were then visited by state team members, which observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students, and parents, and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work,” according to the announcement.

“Beaty deserves this award because we do great things at Beaty,” eighth-grade science teacher Kari Sullivan said.

“We congratulate these schools for being places that do great things for all of their students,” PA Schools to Watch Director Bruce Vosburgh said. “These schools demonstrate that high-performing middle grades schools are places that focus on academic growth and achievement. They are also places that recognize the importance of meeting the needs of all of their students and ensure that every child has access to a challenging, high-quality education.”

“This award is really special because I am part of a building that strives for greatness,” fifth-grade ELA teacher Christine Samonsky said. “I also really like the opportunities that our students are given.”

“It is an honor and a privilege to be employed at a PA Designated Schools to Watch,” seventh-grade social studies teacher Joe Errett said. “We work hard each day to give each student the best possible experience and to make their middle level years as memorable as possible.”

“Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated,” according to the announcement. “Unlike the Blue Ribbon recognition program, ‘Schools to Watch’ requires schools to not just identify strengths, but to also focus on areas for continuous improvement; thus the three year re-designation. The re-designation process is based on the schools continued growth since their last STW recognition.”

“I feel honored to be part of a school community designated as one of the best schools across the state,” Gifted Support Teacher Meggi Brown said.

The team recognized schools’ efforts through the pandemic, on top of their ongoing work.

“In addition, each of these schools have successfully been able to provide a quality education to their students either through a hybrid, total virtual or in-person model over the past few years,” Vosburgh said. “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.”

“I’m honored to be part of this faculty and to be a part of the all the great changes that have been taking place at Beaty,” Reading Specialist Wendy Carrington said. “It was an honor to be recognized for all our hard work, especially through COVID.”