The Schools to Watch - Taking Center Stage (STW-TCS) Application Process

Interested in applying to become a 2009 School to Watch-Taking Center Stage?

1. Application Steps – read this first!

2. Application (instructions included in file)

3. Application, Selection and Responsibility Timeline

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Application Steps

1. Download and review the Principal's Checklist (PDF) to see if your school is ready to be a model for others. STW-TCS is a statewide program that identifies high-performing middle schools willing to serve as models and provide mentorship to other middle schools with similar student populations and challenges.

STW-TCS schools are not perfect, but they are on a trajectory toward excellence and have a passion for sharing what works at their sites. Schools should only apply if site-level administrators will embrace the mentorship role and willingly advise staff from other schools who will call, visit or email.

2. If the Principal's Checklist shows you are not quite ready, download the School Self-Study and Rating Rubric (PDF), take the virtual School Tours on this site, arrange to visit a School to Watch-Taking Center Stage in person… get started with your staff on the road to collaborative, continuous improvement. We encourage you to apply in the future.

3. If you believe your school is meeting or exceeding the needs of all your students, plus meeting or exceeding all the criteria listed on the School Self-Study and Rating Rubric (PDF), we encourage you to apply for 2009.

The School Self-Rating is a school-wide process and should involve the entire staff. A staff application team must complete the full application, including the written narrative. Applications prepared by external grantwriters or paid consultants will not be accepted.

For best results, many Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage principals recommend identifying your application team and starting the collaborative School Self-rating process early, as applications must be received at the CLMS office by 5:00 pm PST, Monday, October 6, 2008, no exceptions.

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Application, Selection and Responsibility Timeline 

October 6, 2008 – Applications Due – Confirmation of receipt of application sent via e-mail

November 17, 2008 – All schools informed of the status of their application – Some schools will be scheduled for visitations in November through January.  Schools not scheduled for visitation will receive guidance for later re-submission.

January 7, 2009 – Announcement of 2009 STW –TCS schools.

March 12-15, 2009 – Selected schools featured at the CLMS Annual Conference as a School to Watch™ – Taking Center Stage .

June 25-27, 2009 – Selected schools featured at the National Schools to Watch Conference in Washington , D.C.

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