Essential Elements: Schools-To-Watch
Promoting Excellence in Middle Level Programming for our State’s Young Adolescents
New York State is a member of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, National Schools-to-Watch Program. New York recognized that the criteria outlined by the National Forum closely aligned with the Department’s Seven Essential Elements of Standards-Focused Middle Level Schools and Programs and the Regents Policy Statement on Middle Level Education. The program, adopted in 2004, and entitled the Essential Elements: Schools-to-Watch Program (EE:STW) focuses on school improvement and recognition. EE:STW recognizes schools that demonstrate continuous improvement and excel in the following four domains; academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structure. The program is non competitive and is designed to promote and guide the school improvement process as well as highlight characteristics of high performing schools with middle grades. EE:STW is a vehicle for school reform in as much as it is tenable for any school to use the tools and application kit to guide their school improvement efforts and eventually apply for recognition when they have demonstrated evidence that they are on a trajectory for improvement in these critical domain areas. The State Education Department in partnership with the NY State Middle School Association, New York State Middle Level Liaisons and the NYS United Teachers, as well as other academic associations across the State continue to seek applications. For more information select the National Schools to Watch Program.
Introducing the 2022-2023 New York State Essential Elements Schools to Watch
| 4th Re-Designation (recognized since 2011) | Principal |
| Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School | Beth Javeline |
| Garden City Middle School | Matthew Samuelson |
| 2nd Re-Designation (recognized since 2017) | Principal |
| Ada Cosgrove Middle School | James Centola |
| Memorial Junior High School | Bret Strauss |
| 1st Re-Designation (recognized since 2020) | Principal |
| AD Oliver Middle School | Jerrod Roberts |
| Island Trees Memorial Middle School | Daniel Keegan |
| Jonas E. Salk Middle School | John Zampaglione |
| Plainedge Middle School | Steven Shuchat |
| Initial Designation (recognized in 2023) | Principal |
| Cuba-Rushford Middle High School | Katie Ralston and Chris Fee |
| Marlboro Middle School | Debra Clinton |
| Wantagh Middle School | Anthony Ciuffo |
A Complete List of Active Essential Elements: Schools-To-Watch (EE:STWs)
Applications and Information
Initial Application for 2021-2022 Word
Initial Application for 2021-2022 PDF
Redesignation Application for 2021-2022 Word
Redesignation Application for 2021-2022 PDF
Schools To Watch/Essential Elements Criteria Crosswalk
Is Your School Ready to Begin the Applicaton Process? 13 Things to Consider