By Kadey Heidrich
Pasadena ISD Communications
Keller Middle School has been re-designated as a School to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP). The school is one of only 50 campuses in Texas to receive the honor.
Schools to Watch are selected through a rigorous process that includes a written application and an in-school evaluation, along with a review of achievement data, suspension rates, lesson quality and student work. Schools honored as part of the program must show continual improvement to receive re-designation every three year period.
“The visiting team was extremely impressed by the many positive things that are taking place at Keller Middle School,” wrote Billy Pringle, State Director for Schools to Watch in Texas and TASSP Associate Executive Director for Middle-Level Services, in a letter to Keller principal Dan Eble. “[The] administrative team has definitely created a positive learning environment.”
Keller was chosen for the award based on the campus’ commitment to academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structure and processes. The organization also noted the campus’ strong leadership and teacher-driven innovations in curriculum and instruction as other positive factors in their selection process.
“It is an honor for TASSP to recognize Keller Middle School in Pasadena ISD,” said Archie E. McAfee, Executive Director for TASSP. “This school is a model for other middle schools all across Texas.”
In June 2021, Keller Middle School will receive national recognition, along with Schools to Watch recipients from across the country, at the National Forum’s Virtual National Schools to Watch Conference.
