CMSS Redesignated National School to Watch & AR Diamond School

Cabot Middle School South is being recognized once again as both a National School To Watch and an Arkansas Diamond School.

As part of the redesignation process, the Arkansas Diamond Schools to Watch team recently returned to Cabot Middle School South to visit with administrators, teachers, and students. The recognition is given to schools in Arkansas and across America who continually focus on improvement and student growth.

Arkansas Diamond Schools to Watch, is an affiliate of the National Schools to Watch Program. According to the Arkansas Diamond Schools to Watch program, a Diamond School to Watch is one that is conscientiously moving to meet fully the nationally endorsed criteria for high performing middle schools. 

It's also a school that has made marked progress in meeting all of these criteria, including measurable gains in the academic achievement of all students over time. Such schools will serve as models and mentors for other schools seeking to improve, even as they continue their own efforts as a Diamond School to Watch.

Schools to Watch® is an initiative launched by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform in 1999.

Through the Schools to Watch® initiative, the National Forum identifies schools across the United States that are well on their way to meeting the Forum's criteria for high performance. According to Schools to Watch®, forum members believe that three things are true of high-performing middle-grades schools:

They are academically excellent — these schools challenge all students to use their minds well.

They are developmentally responsive — these schools are sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence.

They are socially equitable — these schools are democratic and fair, providing every student with high-quality teachers, resources, and supports.

This is Cabot Middle School South's third time to be redesignated, which means CMSS has been involved in this initiative for 12 years.

Principal Casey Hanna says she is extremely proud of the hard work and dedication teachers and staff provide for all their students. A group of staff members will travel to the national conference in Washington, D.C. in June.

There have only been 13 schools from Arkansas designated as a National Schools to Watch, and two of those are both from Cabot - Cabot Middle School South and Cabot Middle School North!