This past June, Antioch Upper Grade School (AUGS) achieved a remarkable milestone, garnering national recognition at the prestigious National Forum Schools to Watch Conference held in Washington, D.C. Representatives from the school’s Building Instructional Leadership Team (BILT) traveled to the capital to be honored among their peers from across the nation. This significant accomplishment underscores the district’s commitment to educational excellence and innovation.
The National Forum Schools to Watch Conference is a revered event in the educational community, dedicated to celebrating schools that demonstrate exemplary performance in academic achievement, developmental responsiveness, and social equity. The conference serves as a beacon for educators seeking to enhance their schools’ environments, and Antioch Upper Grade School’s invitation and recognition at this forum is a testament to its outstanding dedication to these principles.
The conference provided an invaluable opportunity for AUGS’ BILT members to network with other middle school professionals and exchange insights on best practices in education. Attendees engaged in a series of enriching sessions covering a range of pivotal topics such as:
Vision Casting to Create Systems of Communication: Strategies to streamline and enhance communication within schools.
Helping Every Student Reach Their Potential: Techniques and approaches to ensure that each student achieves their highest potential.
Empowering Learners Through Student Voice and Choice: Innovative methods to foster student engagement and ownership of their learning journey.
Maximizing Instruction: Effective instructional practices to optimize learning outcomes.
Improving Teacher Collaboration: Tools and strategies to enhance collaboration among teachers for better instructional coherence.
Mentoring First-Year Teachers and Peer Observations: Support systems and practices to assist new teachers and promote continuous professional development.
The National Schools to Watch (NSW) program is an initiative launched by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform. The program identifies and celebrates middle schools across the United States that are meeting high standards of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structure. Schools earning the NSW designation undergo a rigorous selection process, demonstrating their ability to foster a supportive and challenging learning environment for all students.
The recognition of Antioch Upper Grade School at this national conference is a proud moment for the entire district. It highlights the dedication and hard work of the staff, students, and community members in striving towards educational excellence. The insights and knowledge gained from this conference will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and success of the school, benefiting current and future students alike.
As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we look forward to the positive impact these experiences will have on our educational community. Congratulations to Antioch Upper Grade School for this well-deserved honor and for setting a shining example for schools everywhere!
