The Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch Initiative is a nationally recognized program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. Any AIMS Network School is eligible to apply.
Illinois is now one of sixteen states across the nation to offer the Schools to Watch program. The following four components 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.
- To achieve this level of performance, high-performing schools establish norms, structures and organizational arrangements to support and sustain their trajectory toward excellence. They have a sense of purpose that drives every facet of practice and decision-making.