Radnor Middle School Receives National Accolades

Radnor Middle School has recently been honored by the U.S. Department of Education by being named a “School to Watch.”

The designation is part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Radnor Middle School is one of six in the state recognized this year, according to information from the Radnor Township School District.

According to information from the district:

• State leaders selected each school for its academic excellence, its responsiveness to the needs and interests of young adolescents, and its commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels.
• Each school was determined to have strong leadership, teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement.
• Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated. Differing from the National Blue Ribbon recognition program, “Schools to Watch” requires schools to identify strengths as well as focus on areas for continuous improvement.

“We congratulate these schools for being places that do great things for all of their students,” said Dr. Irv Howard, Past President of the National Forum. “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 ensure that every child has access to a rigorous, high-quality education.”

Radnor Middle along with the five other schools honored will be recognized at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education State Conference on Feb. 28.

The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform is an alliance of 65 educators, researchers, national associations, and officers of professional organizations and foundations dedicated to improving education in the middle grades.