Schools To Watch
The Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools is proud to work in conjunction with the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform in the administration of the Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch Programs.
Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch demonstrate academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes designed to support a trajectory toward excellence.
- Barrington Middle School: Prairie Campus (Redesignation I)
- Crone Middle School (Redesignation III)
- Gregory Middle School (Redesignation VI)
- Field Middle School (Redesignation V)
- Kaneland Harter Middle School (Redesignation III)
- Old Quarry Middle School (Redesignation I)
- Antioch Upper Grade School (Initial Designation)
- Winston Campus Junior High School (Initial Designation)
- Gibson City Middle School (Initial Designation)
We are now accepting STW Initial and Redesignation applications for the 2024-2025 school year. Please reach out to John Viano at Jviano13@gmail.com with any questions.
Visit the National Forum website at www.middlegradesforum.org for more information.
Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch
(Click on a school to see its profile)
Antioch Upper Grade School – Antioch
Arthur Libby Middle School – Chicago
Barrington Middle School Prairie Campus – Barrington
Century Junior High – Orland Park
Cooper Middle School – Buffalo Grove
Crone Middle School – Naperville
Emerson Middle School – Park Ridge
Evergreen Academy Middle School – Chicago
Field Middle School – Northbrook
Gibson City Middle School – Gibson City
Granger Middle School – Aurora
Gregory Middle School – Naperville
Hadley Junior High – Glen Ellyn
Hickory Creek Middle School – Frankfort
Highland Middle School – Libertyville
Indian Creek Middle School – Waterman
Jack London Middle School – Wheeling
Kaneland Harter Middle School – Sugar Grove
Little Village Academy Middle School – Chicago
Mannheim Middle School – Melrose Park
Mattoon Middle School – Mattoon
Monticello Middle School – Monticello
Nathan Davis School – Chicago
Old Quarry Middle School – Lemont
Olympia Middle School – Stanford
Plano Middle School- Plano
Sam Rotolo Middle School – Batavia
Stevenson Middle School – Melrose Park
Still Middle School-Aurora
Thayer Hill Middle School – Naperville
West Oak Middle School- Mundelein
Westmont Junior High – Westmont
Winston Campus Junior High School – Palatine
Frequently Asked Questions
If your school is interested in becoming an Illinois Horizon School to Watch, contact AIMS Executive Director, John Viano at jviano13@gmail.com.
The Association of Illinois Middle-grade Schools features a complete list of IHSTW on our website.
Schools to Watch are focused on continuous school improvement. These exemplary schools participate in evaluations conducted by representatives from the National Forum and engage in ongoing self-evaluation using the Schools to Watch rubric. Schools participate in the Association of Illinois Middle-grade Schools (AIMS) networking events, present at Association workshops and conferences and provide leadership as part of the AIMS Network. Schools are recognized at the National Forum Annual Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C.
Schools to Watch is a school improvement tool for middle schools. Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch (IHSTW) excel in academics, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structures and processes and demonstrate a trajectory toward continuous improvement.
If your school is interested in becoming an Illinois Horizon School to Watch, contact AIMS Executive Director, John Viano at jviano13@gmail.com.
Apply to Become a School To Watch
Apply to become an Illinois Horizon School to Watch by completing the initial application. Current STW schools interested in applying for redesignation, should complete the redesignation application. Send your completed application to National Forum State Director, John Viano at jviano13@gmail.com.
On-line applications are available from John Viano at jviano13@gmail.com.
Schools to Watch are Here to Help
Our Illinois Horizon Schools to Watch willingly provide assistance to Illinois schools who would like to learn more about specific aspects of the middle school model. For more information, please contact John Viano at jviano13@gmail.com.
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