Antioch Upper Grade School has achieved a significant milestone by being designated as a National School to Watch by the Association of Illinois Middle-Grade Schools (AIMS). This recognition is a testament to the dedication and innovative spirit of AUGS, marking it as a leader in educational excellence and an exemplar of best practices in middle-grade education.
The Schools to Watch designation, awarded by AIMS, is not just a title, but a framework for continuous improvement. It underscores a school’s commitment to addressing the needs of the whole child—academically, socially, and emotionally. AUGS embraced this challenge by applying for the designation, a rigorous process that included a detailed site visit this winter by an AIMS evaluation team. The evaluators conducted comprehensive classroom observations, engaged with students, parents, and staff through various focus groups, and reviewed important documents such as the D34 Strategic Plan, curriculum guides, and the AUGS Master Schedule.
This process assessed AUGS across four critical domains:
Academic Excellence: AUGS has demonstrated a commitment to fostering both student and staff growth through robust academic programs.
Developmental Responsiveness: The school prioritizes Social Emotional Learning, ensuring that the developmental needs of middle-grade students are met with sensitivity and support.
Social Equity: AUGS stands out for its efforts in promoting inclusivity and ensuring that every student feels valued and understood.
Organizational Structures and Processes: The school has established effective environmental structures that enhance learning and student well-being.
The culmination of these efforts led to the prestigious Schools to Watch designation, which AUGS will proudly hold for the next three years before applying for redesignation. This cycle of continuous improvement is guided by feedback from educational experts, including Dr. Kristina Falbe of Illinois State University, who provided valuable insights during the site visit.
Looking forward, AUGS is committed to using this feedback to refine and enhance its educational practices further. The school is already aligning its improvement plans with the Antioch CCSD 34 Strategic Plan, ensuring that the strides made are not only maintained but also built upon.
The achievement of the Schools to Watch designation is a clear reflection of the hard work and strategic planning by the AUGS administration, the Building Instructional Leadership Team, and all staff members. It is also a celebration of the supportive network of parents who play a crucial role in our community of learning. This designation is not just an accolade to be celebrated, but a promise of our commitment to providing the highest quality education to our students making D34 a destination for families.
