News release provided by the Colorado Association of Middle School Level Education (CAMLE)

For the first time, Prairie Heights Middle School has been named a 2026 Colorado Schools to Watch, making it one of four schools in Colorado to receive the prestigious designation.

The Schools to Watch designation is awarded to middle schools that demonstrate excellence in academic achievement, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and strong organizational structures. The Colorado Association of Middle Level Education selected the honorees, and Prairie Heights Middle School is one of more than 100 schools that will be recognized nationwide at the National Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C. in June 2026.

“Prairie Heights has cultivated a learning environment where students are supported, challenged, and inspired to succeed,” said Superintendent Dr. Deirdre Pilch. “Through the dedication of its leadership and staff, the school has strengthened partnerships with families and kept student achievement at the center of its work. We are incredibly proud of the entire Prairie Heights community and this well-earned recognition.”

Following the application process, trained state review teams conduct rigorous site visits to validate each school’s practices. During these visits, reviewers observe classroom instruction, interview students, staff, administrators, and families, and analyze achievement data, discipline trends, instructional quality, and evidence of student learning.

Designation as a Colorado Schools to Watch is granted for three years. Schools must reapply and participate in another site visit at the end of that term to maintain their status, ensuring a sustained commitment to continuous improvement and excellence.

“Being recognized as a Colorado Schools to Watch is a tremendous honor for Prairie Heights Middle School,” said Principal Jessica Cooney. “This award reflects the hard work of our students, the dedication of our staff, and the strong partnerships we’ve built with families and the community.”

This year, four schools were designated as Colorado Schools to Watch: Centennial Middle School (Montrose, CO), Corwin International Magnet School (Pueblo, CO), Prairie Heights Middle School (Greeley, CO), and Westview Middle School (Longmont, CO). Launched in 1999, the Schools to Watch program is a national initiative recognizing middle-grades schools that meet or exceed high standards for student achievement and school effectiveness.

Twenty states currently participate in the program, and more than 425 schools nationwide have earned this distinction.

Comunicado de prensa proporcionado por la Colorado Association of Middle School Level Education (CAMLE)

Por primera vez, Prairie Heights Middle School ha sido nombrada una de las 2026 Colorado Schools to Watch, convirtiéndose en una de las cuatro escuelas en Colorado en recibir esta prestigiosa distinción.en recibir esta prestigiosa distinción.

La designación “Schools to Watch” se otorga a las escuelas secundarias que demuestran excelencia en el rendimiento académico, la capacidad de respuesta al desarrollo de los estudiantes, la equidad social y estructuras organizativas sólidas. La Colorado Association of Middle Level Education seleccionó a las instituciones galardonadas, y Prairie Heights Middle School es una de más de 100 escuelas que serán reconocidas a nivel nacional en la National Schools to Watch Conference, que se celebrará en Washington, D.C. en junio de 2026.

“Prairie Heights ha cultivado un entorno de aprendizaje donde los estudiantes reciben apoyo, se les desafía y se les inspira a tener éxito,” afirmó la superintendente Deirdre Pilch. “Gracias a la dedicación de su equipo directivo y su personal, la escuela ha fortalecido las alianzas con las familias y ha mantenido el rendimiento estudiantil en el centro de su labor. Estamos increíblemente orgullosos de toda la comunidad de Prairie Heights y de este reconocimiento bien merecido.”

Tras el proceso de solicitud, equipos estatales de evaluación debidamente capacitados realizan rigurosas visitas a las escuelas para validar las prácticas de cada institución. Durante estas visitas, los evaluadores observan la instrucción en el aula, entrevistan a estudiantes, personal docente, administradores y familias, y analizan los datos de rendimiento académico, las tendencias disciplinarias, la calidad de la enseñanza y las evidencias del aprendizaje estudiantil.

La designación como Colorado Schools to Watch se otorga por un período de tres años. Al finalizar ese plazo, las escuelas deben volver a presentar su solicitud y participar en otra visita de evaluación para mantener su estatus, garantizando así un compromiso sostenido con la mejora continua y la excelencia.

“Ser reconocida como Colorado Schools to Watch es un gran honor para Prairie Heights Middle School,” afirmó la directora Jessica Cooney. “Este premio refleja el arduo trabajo de nuestros estudiantes, la dedicación de nuestro personal y las sólidas alianzas que hemos construido con las familias y la comunidad”.

Este año, cuatro escuelas fueron designadas como Colorado Schools to Watch: Centennial Middle School