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2465 Gillespie Street
Fayetteville, NC 28306
Contact:
Renarta C. Moyd
Communications Manager, Communications and Community Engagement
Phone: 910-678-2307
Email: renartac@ccs.k12.nc.us
For Immediate Release:
February 20, 2025
Local School Joins
Elite Group of Middle Schools Nationwide
Seventy-First Classical Middle School earns prestigious
“Schools to Watch” designation
Fayetteville, NC — Cumberland County Schools is proud to announce that another area middle school has earned the prestigious "Schools to Watch" designation from the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, through the NC Schools to Watch program and the NC Association for Middle Level Education (NCMLE).
Seventy-First Classical Middle School (SFCMS) now joins an elite group of middle schools nationwide recognized for their academic excellence, commitment to student development and innovative organizational practices that drive continuous improvement.
"I am full of praise," said SFCMS Principal Dr. Queesha Tillman. "For the first time in our history, SFCMS is a North Carolina School to Watch! This honor reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence. Our motto truly resonates—Guided by Faith, Driven by Data, Excellence for All!"
The Schools to Watch (STW) designation, established by the National Forum, identifies and celebrates middle-grade schools that meet rigorous criteria for excellence. Schools selected for this honor demonstrate:
- Outstanding academic excellence, where all students are challenged to use their minds well
- Strong developmental responsiveness to the unique needs and interests of early adolescents
- Commitment to ensuring every student has access to high-quality classes and the support they need to achieve at high levels
- Organizational structures that support continuous improvement and maintain high-performance outcomes
The selection process involved a comprehensive evaluation of the school's practices that included detailed written applications, site visits by state teams, interviews with school administrators, teachers, students and parents; student achievement data review as well as the assessment of school practices and policies.
“We are truly proud to celebrate Seventy-First Classical Middle School for earning the esteemed ‘School to Watch’ designation which highlights the dedication of the school’s educators, students, and community to academic excellence and ongoing growth,” said Dr. La’Shanda Carver-Moore, area superintendent of School Support – Middle Grades. “Being recognized among the nation’s top middle schools is a reflection of their strong commitment to student success. Way to go, Seventy-First Classical!”
The school will be honored alongside top middle-grade schools from across the country at the National Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C. This designation is valid for three years, after which the school can apply for re-designation to maintain its status as a School to Watch. To learn more about the Schools to Watch program, visit https://www.middlegradesforum.org/.
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