2026 Application Instructions

2025 Inaugural Arizona Schools to Watch Press Release

The Schools to Watch® Program was designed by the National Forum. Criteria established by the National Forum are used as the basis for the Forum’s Schools to Watch Program, which focuses on school improvement efforts characterized by a continuous trajectory toward success. Each state's Schools to Watch are recognized annually in Washington, D.C.

Arizona joined the Schools to Watch Program® in 2024 as an initiative of the Arizona Association for Middle Level Education (AzAMLE) with the intent of advancing middle level education in Arizona and recognizing schools that strive to meet the needs of Arizona 10-15 year old students. Join AzAMLE for full access to the Schools to Watch award program!

2026 Arizona Schools to Watch® Applications

The 2026 Arizona Schools to Watch® application is due by Friday, December 5, 2025, 5:00PM. Late applications will not be accepted.

Follow these steps to apply for the 2026 Arizona School to Watch® Designation:

1. Download the 2026 Arizona STW Application Instructions.

2. Download the STW Toolkit, which contains the STW rubric.

3. Review the application instructions and the toolkit with your team and develop a timeline to meet the application deadline of December 5, 2025.

4. If your team decides that the process can be completed by the application deadline, please email SchoolstoWatch@azamle.org with a statement of intent to apply for the 2026 AZ Schools to Watch designation. This can be done at any time.

5. We will contact you to help begin your Arizona Schools to Watch journey!

2025 Inaugural Arizona Schools to Watch®

Arizona College Prep Middle School

Chandler Unified School District; Manjula Reddy, Principal

Aprende Middle School

Kyrene School District; Renee Kory, Principal

M.C. Cash Elementary School

Laveen School District; Nicole Goodwin, Principal

Paseo Pointe Dual Language Academy

Laveen School District; Jonathan Rohloff, Principal

Sossaman Middle School

Higley Unified School District; Bruce Potts, Principal

Not Quite Ready to Become a School to Watch? Use the Rubric for a Self-Study on Your School Improvement Journey!

​The Schools to Watch self-study rating rubric is available as tool to support growth in your school. Click here for an electronic copy! Sharing and completing the Schools to Watch rubric is a great way for the administration and faculty to self-reflect on the implementation of best practices in your middle school or middle-level program. Use the rubric tool as part of your school's continuous improvement plan. Evaluate the results, revise your improvement plan, and implement changes. When you feel you have developed a trajectory of continuous improvement, consider applying for the Arizona Schools to Watch® designation!

If you have any questions about the Schools to Watch program, please contact your Arizona State Director, Dr. Robert Caplinger, at SchoolstoWatch@azamle.org