KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
April 29, 2019
By Natalie Cook Clark
Seven Lakes Junior High earned Texas School to Watch distinction for the second straight year. The school will be recognized with 35 other Texas junior high campuses in Washington D.C. this summer.
Seven Lakes Junior High Retains Prestigious Honor
Katy ISD's Seven Lakes Junior High (SLJH) made the list of Texas Schools to Watch for the second straight year. The distinction was given by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. The school was evaluated on academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structures and processes.
"Receiving a National Schools to Watch re-designation is an honor for SLJH. We couldn't have done it without our dedicated staff, students and parents who work together to ensure that this school is at a high-performing level," said Seven Lakes Junior High Principal Kristin Harper. "Our goal is to meet the needs of our students and motivate them to create a bright future," added Harper.
Specific Goals, Strong Leadership
The Schools to Watch selection process is based on a written application that requires schools to show how they met certain established criteria. Schools were then visited by state teams. They observed classrooms, students work and interviewed administrators and teachers among other observation mechanisms. Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of the third year, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated.
In addition to meeting the criteria for the title, SLJH is known for its strong leadership team. Their team includes teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction. SLJH finds success through this shared commitment toward assessment and accountability for continuous improvement.
National Recognition Set for Summer in D.C.
SLJH was established in 2012 and serves approximately 1700 students with a staff of 132 adults. Their mascot is the Spartans.
The school will be recognized nationally in Washington D.C. at the National Schools to Watch Conference June 27-29, 2019.