State Education Department Announces 2021 Essential Elements: Schools to Watch

The New York State Education Department, in partnership with the New York State Middle School Association and the Statewide Network of Middle Level Liaisons, recognized 16 schools that were re-designated as 2021 Essential Elements: Schools to Watch (EE:STW), including five schools that were designated for a fifth time in the past 15 years, Commissioner Betty A. Rosa announced today. The designation is awarded to exceptional middle-level schools that meet rigorous criteria and are on a path of continuous improvement.

“These exemplary schools have implemented strategies from diversity and inclusion initiatives to project-based learning so they can best serve their students,” Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young said. “Their work is remarkable, and I congratulate them for their steadfast commitment to excellence.”

“These Schools to Watch work each day to achieve positive and improving outcomes for their students, constantly building on those accomplishments,” Commissioner Rosa said. “The middle school years represent a period of personal growth and development for young adolescents. These educators are helping the children they serve to prepare for success in high school and thereafter.”

New York is proud to announce the 2021 Essential Elements: Schools to Watch:

Receiving a fifth redesignation, having been recognized for excellence since 2006:

• Sayville Middle School, Principal Joseph Castoro, Sayville UFSD                       
• Barker Road Middle School, Principal Shana Cutaia, Pittsford CSD
• Calkins Road Middle School, Principal Joshua Walker, Pittsford CSD
• Moravia Middle School, Principal John Birmingham, Moravia CSD
• Twelve Corners Middle School, Principal James Nunez, Brighton CSD

Fourth Re-Designation (recognized since 2009):         

• A.A. Kingston Middle School, Principal Dan Cook, Potsdam CSD
• Jericho Middle School, Principal Don Gately, Jericho UFSD

Third Re-Designation (recognized since 2012):            

• Martha Brown Middle School, Principal David Dunn, Fairport CSD
• Indian Lake Middle School, Principal David Snide, Indian Lake CSD
• Oceanside Middle School, Principal Allison Glickman-Rogers, Oceanside UFSD
• Van Wyck Junior High School, Principal Steven Shucat, Wappingers CSD
• Longwood Junior High School, Principal Adam Dewitt, Longwood CSD
• Farnsworth Middle School, Principal Michael Laster, Guilderland CSD

Second Re-Designation (recognized since 2015):

• South Orangetown Middle School, Principal Chad Corey, South Orangetown CSD

First Re-Designation (recognized since 2018):

• Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Middle School, Principal Carrie Hodkinson, Sherrill City School District
• Fieldstone Middle School, Principal Alex Levine, Haverstraw-Stony Point CSD

Every three years, schools that wish to retain their EE:STW designation must reapply for consideration. The EE:STW honor is designed to promote and guide the school improvement process, as well as highlight characteristics of high performing middle grade schools. For more information about this program, please visit the New York EE:STW website.

EE:STW is a state-administered national program overseen by the New York State Education Department, the New York State Middle School Association, and the Statewide Network of Middle Level Liaisons. It is an honor designed to promote and guide the school improvement process, as well as highlight characteristics of high performing middle grade schools. The program recognizes schools that demonstrate continuous improvement and excel in the following four domains: academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structure.