Colorado Schools to Watch
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La Junta Middle School
La Junta Middle School accepting the the "School to Watch" designation as the National School to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C.

Celebration in Washington, D.C.

La Junta Middle School
2009 Colorado Trailblazer
"School to Watch"

and to

Holmes Middle School
for earning a redesignation as
2006 and 2009
Colorado Trailblazer
"School to Watch"



2008 Colorado Schools to Watch

Russell Middle School

(Above) Russell Middle School celebrates in Washington DC - Dan Joiner, Jeanice Swift-Kerr, Diane Lauer, Dr. Terry Bishop - Superintendent, Colorado Springs 11

Colorado Trailblazer Schools to Watch program is part of a national force in middle grades education.  The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform identifies high-performing middle grades schools that are academically excellent, responsive to the developmental challenges of young adolescents, and socially equitable holding high expectations for all students.  Schools chosen are then charged with the responsibility to work with other schools around their state to raise the level of student achievement for all middle level grade students.

Sites selected as Schools to Watch exemplify the National Forum’s vision articulated in an easy-to-use, research-based assessment framework detailing practices identifiable in exemplary middle level schools. The purpose of this organization is to help Colorado middle level schools utilize the powerful Schools to Watch framework in order to maximize their own school improvement endeavors.  

The Colorado Trailblazer Schools to Watch initiative is part of the Colorado Association of Middle Level Educators (CAMLE).

  • Apply to become a Colorado Trailblazer School to Watch
  • Visit the Colorado Trailblazer Schools to Watch
  • Learn more about the Forum's Framework for Exemplar School

Bookcliff Middle School meeting Representative Salazar
Members of Bookcliff Middle School from Grand Junction met with Represetative John Salazar on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC - from the left: Deb Bailey, Laura Johnson, Bill Bailey, Marty Bassett, Rep John Salazar, Cheri Vana, and Doug Johnston.
Conrad Ball in DC
Conrad Ball Middle School staff from Loveland pose on the Capitol Steps - from the left: Lesli Cochran, Sarah Walgast, Nita Starr, Natalie Worthington Dudley, Andra Ramsay, Sheila Pottorff, Linda Spreitzer, Dorothy Fuller, and Liz Swanson.