The mission of the Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools to Watch Program is to assist Pennsylvania middle grades schools build capacity and recognize schools achieving academic excellence, based on the rigorous 37 criteria established by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.
Neshannock Township School District is pleased to announce that the Neshannock Junior High School has once again been named a Schools to Watch™. NJHS has earned the honor of being designated and re-designated as a School to Watch three times. The designation was first earned during the 2012-2013 school year. Every three years the Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools to Watch Program re-examines participating districts to ensure continued improvement, as well as opportunities for all to succeed is taking place. NJHS was re-designated as a Schools to Watch™ in 2016, and once again on Friday, May 10, 2019. All three designations have been earned under the direction and supervision of Junior High Principal Dr. Tracy McCalla.
Neshannock Junior High School is one of 39 schools in Pennsylvania, and one of 543 schools nationwide to be designated as a Schools to Watch™ school. This highly coveted designation goes far beyond good test scores. The Schools to Watch™ criteria focuses on four main areas: Academic Excellence, Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity, and Organizational Structures and Processes. Dr. McCalla gives significant credit to her team — students, teachers, paraprofessionals, and coaches — who all collaborate to ensure the best opportunities for students to achieve success. Thrilled with the re-designation, Dr. Terence P. Meehan, District Superintendent, gives kudos to the students for showing academic growth, the teachers for creatively inspiring and empowering the students to excel, and, of course, Dr. McCalla for leading the way.
Neshannock Junior High School celebrated the re-designation with an assembly on Friday, May 10th. Junior high students, teachers, and administrators were joined by special guests Steve Swogger, Horace Mann Co., Territory Leader, and Bruce Vosburg, Schools to Watch™ Director. Both Swogger and Vosburg presented NJHS with a Schools to Watch™ banner to be proudly hung at the school. Members of Student Advisory, Sydney Lockley and Dove Corrette-Bennett, spoke on behalf of the student body highlighting the many academic programs and clubs made available to junior high students. The audience was entertained by a duet sung by junior high students Juliana Medure and Aaralyn Nogay, as well as performances by the Junior High Choir.
Neshannock Township School District is incredibly proud to have a Schools to Watch™ school in the District. We applaud the continued commitment to excellence set forth by all involved! Congratulations to Dr. Tracy McCalla and the entire Neshannock Junior High School!