Old Quarry Middle School Earns 'School To Watch' Award

LEMONT, IL — Old Quarry Middle School has been designated a 2020 Illinois Horizon School to Watch, the district shared Friday. The district said the award is given to schools which demonstrate academic excellence, development responsiveness, social equity and organizational structures and processes designed to support a trajectory towards excellence.

The school went through an application process and a team site visit throughout January. The district said only three schools in Illinois were selected for an initial site visit.

“The board of education is extremely proud of Old Quarry Middle School and especially the staff, administration, and kids for their tremendous accomplishment," Board President Damon Ascolani said in a release. "This designation is well deserved and quite frankly a confirmation of what we already knew...that OQMS is one of the best educational experiences for kids in the nation.”"

“This elite national recognition is an incredible honor, not only for the middle school, but also for the entire community," Superintendent Dr. Courtney Orzel added. "We are so proud of the efforts of our staff, parents and community who continue to provide an excellent educational experience for our students.”

Old Quarry Middle School will be honored at the National Schools to Watch conference in Washington, D.C. in June. As an Illinois Horizon School to Watch, the district said OQMS is part of a network of 400 other schools throughout the United States who have attained this status.

The award is given by the Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform.