The Arizona Association for Middle Level Education has announced the inaugural cohort of five "Schools to Watch" in Arizona, with Sossaman Middle School from the Higley Unified School District among the honorees.

Part of a national network spanning 20 states, the Schools to Watch program is overseen by The National Middle Grades Forum, a nonprofit organization that has recognized more than 700 middle schools across the country over the past 26 years.

Sossaman Middle School, alongside the four other inaugural Arizona Schools to Watch, will travel to Washington, DC, from June 26-28 to be formally recognized as "National Schools to Watch" by The National Middle Grades Forum.

The Schools to Watch program has all staff at a candidate school who hold a license (like teachers and administrators) complete an extensive rubric that evaluates the school’s systems as part of the application process.

This step helps school teams identify what is great at their school, as well as what needs to be improved.

It also develops a shared language for school improvement, buy-in for the improvement process, and ownership of the school culture among the staff. Being designated as a School to Watch is an accomplishment for the school community.

Earning this state and national distinction reflects Sossaman Middle School’s alignment with the Higley Unified School District’s mission, which emphasizes academic excellence and collaboration, and supports the district’s strategic plan to empower students for future success.