Burnsville, NC — Cane River Middle School has been named a "School to Watch" by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform through the NC Schools to Watch program and The NC Association for Middle Level Education (NCMLE), joining an elite group of middle schools nationwide recognized for their academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures supporting continuous improvement.
The Schools to Watch (STW) designation, established by the National Forum, identifies and celebrates middle-grade schools that meet rigorous criteria for excellence. Schools selected for this honor demonstrate:
Outstanding academic excellence, where all students are challenged to use their minds well
Strong developmental responsiveness to the unique needs and interests of early adolescents
Committed social equity, ensuring every student has access to high-quality classes and the support they need to achieve at high levels
Organizational structures that support continuous improvement and maintain high-performance outcomes
The selection process involved a comprehensive evaluation of the school's practices, including:
Detailed written applications
Site visits by state teams
Interviews with administrators, teachers, students, and parents
Review of student achievement data
Assessment of school policies and practices
Cane River Middle School will be recognized at the National Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C., joining other exemplary middle-grade schools from across the country. The school will hold this designation for three years and can apply for re-designation to maintain its status as a School to Watch.
For more information about the Schools to Watch program, visit www.middlegradesforum.org.
Cane River Middle School serves 6th, 7th and 8th grades in Yancey County. Located in a rural community, Cane River Middle School is committed to providing a culture of high expectations and service to the community.
Principal Rebecca Fox stated, "We are so excited and honored to be recognized by the North Carolina Schools to Watch Program. In a year where there has been such devastation and uncertainty, the students and staff at Cane River Middle School have demonstrated just what it means to be "Excellent". Our parents, community, and district leaders have also been a significant support in the success of our school. Together, we have worked hard to invest in our students' success."
“The recognition as a School to Watch is a testament to our unwavering commitment to academic excellence. This achievement reflects the dedication of our students, educators and community in fostering a learning environment where every student thrives. Congratulations to Principal Rebecca Fox and her students, faculty and staff on a well deserved recognition for the Cane River community.” - Kathy Amos, Superintendent of Yancey County Schools
