Beachwood Middle School a National School to Watch

Beachwood Middle School has been re-designated as a National School to Watch.

Ninety schools across the country, and 18 in Ohio, were given the designation, which is effective for three years. BMS was given the designation for the first time in 2008.

“The forum puts Beachwood on the forefront not only in the state of Ohio but nationally,” said BMS Principal Linda LoGalbo* at Monday’s Board of Education Meeting. She added that, as a featured school in the organization's video, BMS is used as a model for middle schools, and representatives from each School to Watch also meet with U.S. legislators to lobby for middle-grade education improvements.

The designation is given to schools based on their academic performance, social equity and responsiveness to the developmental challenges facing middle school students, according to their website.

The Schools to Watch initiative was launched in 1999 by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, an alliance of educators, researchers and others.

Founded in part by the Bill and Melinda Gates and the John S. and James L. Knight foundations, the Forum works to improve middle school education.

“So much funding goes to high schools and elementary schools and the middle grades get left out,” LoGalbo said.

LoGalbo attends annual National Schools to Watch conferences, where she’s spoken about BMS’ initiatives to improve education, including the school’s laptop program.

*Editor's Note: The spelling of Linda LoGalbo's name has been corrected.