Most people in and around Dexter always knew that Mill Creek Middle School was a school to watch. Now it's official.
Mill Creek was recently designated as a National Schools to Watch. This recognition is awarded to high-performing middle schools that meet stringent criteria in a number of categories.
Mill Creek was the only school in the state to receive this award for this year. Mill Creek joins approximately 80 schools nationwide, including just three in Michigan, that have been recognized since 1999 as Schools to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform.
"The application process (for this award) was lengthy and reflective on our own practices here at Mill Creek and we applied with the notion of having middle school experts who are passionate about the middle school philosophy review what we do at Mill Creek," Principal Jami Bronson said. "We went into the process looking for feedback, the award itself was just icing on the cake and not an expectation.
"We feel honored to be recognized as a 'schools to watch' both at the state and national level, and feel fortunate to have feedback on how we can continue to improve to provide the best possible education for all students."
Mill Creek joins White Pine Middle School in Saginaw Township, Saline Middle School and Oakview Middle School in Lake Orion as recognized schools.
In order to earn this recognition, Mill Creek met a set criteria issued by the forum. They maintain academic excellence, are responsive to the needs and interest of young adolescents, and are committed to helping all students achieve at high levels. In addition, the school has strong teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to bring about continuous improvement.
"Mill Creek has teachers who are experts in teaching middle level students," Bronson said. "They are passionate about 'kids in the middle' and continuously go above and beyond to ensure success for students."
Bronson also says the district is fortunate to have Superintendent Evelynn Shirk, "who understands the middle-school philosophy and was instrumental in the development of the program," she said.
"We also have parents and students who are actively involved in the educational process. All of these are just some of the factors that allow Mill Creek to be successful."
Bronson also credits the community.
"I believe the entire community can be proud of this award," she said. "Without the support of parents and the community Mill Creek would not be where it is today."
The school hosted a community celebration on Monday. In May, a formal recognition will take place at theschool with students, parents and the community being involved. Mill Creek also will be presented with a national award at a conference in Washington D.C. this June.
The categories used to judge the schools include academic excellence by challenging all students to use their minds, developmental responsiveness by being sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence social equity by being fair, democratic and providing all students with access to high quality educational opportunities, resources and support.
Dr. John Harrison, President of the National Forum stated: "We congratulate these schools for being places that do great things for all of their students. These schools demonstrate that high-performing middle grades schools are places that focus on academic growth and achievement. They are also places that recognize the importance of meeting the needs of all of their students and ensuring that every child has access to a rigorous, high-quality education."
Selection was based on a written application that required schools to show how they met criteria developed by the National Forum. Schools that appeared to meet the criteria were then visited by state teams who observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers and parents, and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons and student work.
Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years must repeat the process in order to be re-designated. Sixteen of the 50 schools recognized have maintained or increased their levels of excellence and are being re-designated. The schools vary in size from several hundred to several thousand students and represent urban, suburban and rural communities.
Launched in 1999, Schools to Watch began as a national program to identify middle-grades schools across the country that were meeting or exceeding 37 criteria developed by the National Forum. The Forum developed a web site (www.schoolstowatch.org) that features online tours of schools, as well as detailed information about the selection criteria used in the recognition program.
In 2002, the National Forum began working with states to replicate the Schools to Watch program as a way to introduce the Forum's criteria for high-performance and identify middle grades schools that meet or exceed that criteria. Different education organizations have taken the lead in each state, but all have received training and support from the Forum to implement their Schools to Watch programs. The lead state organizations include Michigan Middle Start.
"We are pleased that our Schools to Watch program have shown that schools can meet high academic expectations while preserving a commitment to healthy development and equity for all students," said Dr. Deborah Kasak, National Forum executive director. "These Schools to Watch are indeed special; they make education so exciting that students and teachers don't want to miss a day. These schools have proven that it is possible to overcome barriers to achieving excellence, and any middle-level school in any state can truly learn from their examples."
Bronson credits the teachers at Mill Creek for the school's success.
"Without teachers who are passionate and well versed on the middle-school model, Mill Creek would not be as successful as it has been," she said. "We have great teacher leadership. It was the teachers years ago that wanted to move to teaming which helped with the buy in process. Teachers have created a teaming model without extra planing time or financial assistance because they are passionate about what they do.
"Mill Creek teachers are innovative, caring and work well together. It is truly one big family and I am blessed to work with such an outstanding staff. I am very proud of what they do."
Despite the honor, Bronson sees room for improvement and says the school will continue to strive to provide the best education possible for its students.
"The reason we originally applied was to get feedback from middle-school experts," she said. "We will be working with schools to watch staff to identify areas we can continue to improve on and develop a schoolimprovement model to address these growth areas."
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