Pleasant Hills Middle School Redesignated as a “School to Watch”

Pleasant Hills Middle School, part of the West Jefferson Hills School District, has been redesignated as a PA Don Eichhorn Schools: “School to Watch.” The “Schools to Watch” program was developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform in partnership with the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education (PAMLE), Kutztown University, and the Horace Mann Service Corporation. Pleasant Hills Middle School is one of only 38 active “Schools to Watch” in Pennsylvania.

Pleasant Hills Middle School was first designated as a “School to Watch” school nine years ago, and this is the third redesignation. Schools are recognized for three-year periods and must re-apply to continue in the program. Designated schools are celebrated for their academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes. As part of the reapplication process, schools must demonstrate progress on specific goals.

Earlier this fall, a state team visited Pleasant Hills Middle School to observe classrooms; interview administrators, educators, students, and parents; and review achievement data, suspension rates, lesson quality, and student work. The site visit followed the submission of a written application from a team of middle school teachers and administrators.

“Receiving the ‘Schools to Watch’ designation once again is a proud moment for all of us at Pleasant Hills Middle School,” said Dan Como, Pleasant Hills Middle School principal. “This redesignation is proof of our team’s tireless efforts to provide a high quality educational experience that puts students first.”

In a letter to Mr. Como and assistant principal Jodi Knight, Pennsylvania State Schools to Watch Director Bruce Vosburgh noted the middle school’s programs and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Pleasant Hills Middle School would not have earned this honor if it weren’t for the school’s administration, faculty, and staff and their relentless pursuit of academic excellence and quality instruction,” said Dr. Janet Sardon, superintendent of the West Jefferson Hills School District. “This recognition highlights the school’s successes and the commitment to continuously improve.”

Launched in 1999, “Schools to Watch” began as a national program to identify middle-grades schools across the country that were meeting or exceeding 37 researched based criteria developed by the National Forum. Unlike the Blue Ribbon program, the “Schools to Watch” initiative requires schools to not only identify strengths but demonstrate progress on specific goals.

As an active “School to Watch,” Pleasant Hills Middle School will now collaborate with educators from across the country to highlight its academic programs, initiatives, and success stories.

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