Bondy Intermediate School and Milstead Middle School have been named Texas Schools to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).
Bondy and Milstead join nearly 50 campuses in the state of Texas that have been selected for the designation since the program started back in 2011.
Principals Roneka Lee of Bondy Intermediate and Scott Pollack of Milstead Middle shared their sentiments about the recognition.
“I am thrilled that Bondy has received this prestigious designation,” said Lee. “This honor is a direct reflection of the incredible work of our students and staff. It is our commitment to do #WhateverItTakes for the students of this community.”
Pollack said, “I am so proud of all of the hard work by our amazing students and staff. This recognition is a result of their dedication to ensure our students are learning each and every day.”
Schools are selected based on academic achievement, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structure and processes.
The selection process involves the completion of a rigorous application that requires schools to demonstrate academic growth and achievements, in addition to ensuring the needs of all students are met.
After the applications were submitted, the Schools to Watch site team visited Bondy and Milstead in January to observe classrooms and conduct interviews with their respective school communities.
“We were honored to have them visit our campus and meet with some of our wonderful students, parents and teachers,” Pollack said.
Both campuses will be recognized as Schools to Watch for a three-year period. After the third year, they must demonstrate continued progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated.
Bondy Intermediate and Milstead Middle will be honored during the Virtual Making Middle School Matter Symposium, hosted by TASSP, March 1-2, 2021. They will also be honored at the Virtual National Forum Schools to Watch conference in June 2021.
“Thank you to Schools to Watch for recognizing the rewarding work of our teachers, the endearing support of our district and community and the passionate enthusiasm for learning from our students,” said Lee. “We are #BondyProud and #PasadenaISDProud.”