Dorseyville Middle School honored as a 'School to Watch'

Dorseyville Middle School has been designated one of Pennsylvania’s “Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools to Watch.”

Dorseyville and 10 other Pennsylvania middle grade schools are being recognized for 2023-24 as part of a program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.

“These schools demonstrate that high-performing middle grade schools are places that focus on academic growth and achievement,” said Bruce Vosburgh, Pennsylvania’s Schools to Watch director. “They are also places that recognize the importance of meeting the needs of all of their students and ensure that every child has access to a challenging, high-quality education.”

This is the third time Dorseyville has received a Schools to Watch recognition. It was named in 2010 and was redesignated for 2013-16. Schools to Watch state leaders select each school for its academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes. Each school has strong leadership, teachers who collaborate to improve curriculum and instruction and a commitment to improvement through assessment and accountability.

“We are so proud of the commitment that is demonstrated daily by our students, teachers, administrators, support staff members, parents and guardians, school board members and our entire school community,” said Dr. Mary Catherine Reljac, Fox Chapel Area’s superintendent. “Everyone works together to facilitate learning, teaching and growth for our students, and that is reflected in this recognition, for which we are incredibly grateful.”

The 11 schools will be recognized at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education’s State Conference on Feb. 24-26. They also will be recognized in Washington, D.C., at the National Forum’s National Schools to Watch Conference in June. Each school will have a local celebration in either May or June.

The award is named for the late Donald H. Eichhorn, a Pennsylvania educator and researcher, who passed away in 2001.