Next week, the Ohio Board of Education  will recognize Ohio’s 16 Middle Schools to Watch and among the honorees is Coventry’s Erwine Middle School. This is the third year that Erwine has been named as a school to watch.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” said Coventry Superintendent Rusty Chaboudy. “It means we’re reaching out and meeting the needs of all students at the school. That’s more important than winning any award.”

Since 2004, the Schools to Watch program has recognized middle-grades schools in Ohio that demonstrate academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structures that successfully support the mission of the school. The program is sponsored by a partnership between the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Middle School Association, Otterbein College and the Ohio Federation of Teachers.

“Ohio’s 16 Middle Schools to Watch serve as models of excellence for middle-grades schools throughout the state,” said State Board of Education President Jennifer Sheets. “Being named a Middle School to Watch not only recognizes past successes, but also indicates the school is committed to continuing to improve services for students.”

Joining Sheets and Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Tave Zelman and the rest of the State Board will be representatives from Coventry and the other 15 districts, including Beachwood, Bexley, Oak Hills, Jonathan Alder, Cleveland Heights-University Heights, Worthington, Solon, Mad River, St. Henry Consolidated, Van Wert, Miamisburg and Dublin. Two of Cleveland Heights-University Heights’ middle schools will be honored.