Berry Miller Junior High earns National Distinction as a Texas School to Watch

Berry Miller Junior High was redesignated for a second time as a Texas School to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. First designated as a Texas model school in 2019 this redesignation demonstrates a continuous effort to ensure their students are receiving exceptional educational opportunities. Berry Miller Junior High joins approximately 70 other campuses across Texas with this distinction and honor. 

State leaders recognized Berry Miller Junior High School for its academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structure and processes.  In addition, Berry Miller Junior High has strong leadership and teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction, and a commitment to assessment and accountability to bring about continuous improvement. 

Leticia Menchaca, State Director for Schools to Watch in Texas and TASSP Associate Executive Director stated, “We congratulate Principal Tony Barcelona and his staff, students, and parents for establishing a campus that does great things for all their students. This school has demonstrated that a high-performing middle school is a place that focuses on academic growth and achievement.  Berry Miller is a place that recognizes the importance of meeting the needs of all students and ensures that every child has access to a challenging high-quality education.”

The Schools to Watch selection process is based on a written application that requires schools to show how they met criteria developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Schools that appeared to meet the criteria were then visited by state teams, which observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students and parents, and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work.  Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals to be re-designated. 

Berry Miller Junior High will also be recognized in Washington DC at the National Forum of Schools to Watch Conference this summer.