Deer Lakes Middle School wins national award

Deer Lakes Middle School has been named one of the state’s “Schools to Watch,” which is a statewide recognition that is part of a larger national program.

The school was one of three schools in the state to be recognized by the Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools to Watch Program late last month. The state organization is part of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, a nationwide entity composed of educators, researchers, national associations and professional organizations.

“It’s really flattering, and it’s extraordinarily validating,” Principal David Campos said. “There’s a goal in mind. So, to have an organization come in and on such a rigorous scale look at all these different groups, all the stakeholders, to validate the work of the staff and of our kids, it really is flattering. It’s humbling.”

Schools are assessed based on subjects such as academic excellence, social equity and their organizational structures, Assistant Principal Samantha Abate said.

Once the state Schools to Watch program receives applications, which was close to 30 pages in the case of Deer Lakes, a team comes to visit the schools and assess its staff, including teachers, care professionals and even maintenance workers.

“This is something our building has been working toward for several years at this point,” Abate said, adding that middle schools might not get many accolades, but their students are at a tough juncture in their lives, where they are finding out their identities and passions.

The other two schools recognized were Wendover Middle School in Greensburg and Chartiers Valley Middle School in Bridgeville.

“Having been a middle school principal in my career for 10 years, I am beyond proud of this accomplishment,” said Deer Lakes Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden in a statement posted to the school’s Facebook page. “There has been so much positive development at the middle school. I am glad they are being recognized with this special award.”

Schools are recognized for a three-year period, after which they must apply to be redesignated.

Seven schools in the state were redesignated in December.

The Pennsylvania schools will be recognized at the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education State Conference that takes place Feb. 25-27 at the Crowne Plaza in King of Prussia.

The schools also will be recognized nationally in Washington, D.C., at the National Forum’s National Schools to Watch Conference, which takes place June 22-24.

Deer Lakes plans to hold a celebration with students in the spring, school officials said, and will hang a banner recognizing the achievement outside the middle school.