Steps To Apply

To be considered before application process begins:

*Be fully accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education

*Contain any configuration where students who are aged 10-15 are housed

*Be members of the Arkansas Association of Middle School Educators

Steps For Initial Application:

1. Create a copy of the application

2. Contact State Directors regarding school's interest

3. Have certified staff complete an online rubric related to STW criteria

4. Create or utilize leadership team

5. Create writing team

6. Utilize staff for editing

7. Application DUE NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 16, 2020

8. Share application with state directors. Reading team will score using rubric

9. Written notification will be given regarding status. If selected for a team visit, date will be provided.

10. Team will visit school and provide a detailed report of strengths and opportunities for growth. Notification will be given regarding designation.

If selected as a Arkansas Diamond School to Watch, the school is expected to:

*Attend and present at the national STW Conference in Arlington, VA

*Attend and present at the state AAMLE conference

*Host school visits from schools wanting to learn from their best practices

*Be willing to Involve staff as readers of school applications and as members of site visit teams to continue professional growth

*Promptly respond to requests for information from state or national STW