THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

Office of Curriculum and Instructional Support

Curriculum, Instruction and Instructional Technology Team

Anne Schiano, Assistant Director

Room 320 EB

Albany, NY  12234

Tel. (518) 474-5922

Fax (518) 473-4884

www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai

2007 Essential Elements: Schools-To-Watch

Models of Academic Excellence

Social Equity, Developmental Responsiveness, Organization and Structure

New York State completed a second round of application reviews and chosen North Salem Middle School as its most recent Essential Elements Schools to Watch designee.  Schools to Watch is a national recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. New York State has joined the Schools to Watch program and is one of 16 participating states.  North Salem Middle School underwent a rigorous application and self study process which included a site visit by a team of Middle Level practitioners to determine each school's eligibility to receive this honor. The school has distinguished itself in four distinct areas: academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organization and structure. North Salem has placed itself on a trajectory for improvement by focusing on the Essential Elements of a Standards Focused Middle Level Program.

For more information about NY State's Schools to Watch program please visit the New York State Middle School Association Website at http://www.nysmsa.org/.