MISSION, TEXAS (APRIL 15, 2025) The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals as part of a national recognition program have designated Kenneth White Junior High School of Mission CISD as a Texas School to Watch!
Kenneth White Junior High School joins approximately 70 other campuses across Texas with this distinction and honor.
The campus will be recognized nationally with all the other recognized STW schools from across the country in Washington DC at the National Forum of Schools to Watch Conference on June 26-28, 2025.
“This National recognition is a proud moment for all of us at K. White Jr. High,” said Brenda Betancourt – principal for Kenneth White Jr. High. “It reflects the hard work, dedication and passion our staff, students and families bring to our campus every day.”
State leaders selected Kenneth White Junior High School for its Academic Excellence, Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity and Organizational Structure and Processes.
Leticia Menchaca, State Director for Schools to Watch in Texas and TASSP Associate Executive Director for Middle-Level Services, stated, “We congratulate Principal Brenda Betancourt and her staff, students, and parents for being a campus that does great things for all their students. This school has demonstrated that a high-performing middle school is a place that focuses on academic growth and achievement.”
The schools to Watch selection process is based on a written application that requires schools to show how they met criteria developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Schools that appeared to meet the criteria were then visited by state teams, which observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students and parents, and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work.
Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals to be re-designated.
Unlike the Blue-Ribbon recognition program, “Schools to Watch” requires schools to not just identify strengths, but to also focus on areas of continuous improvement; thus, the three-year re-designation.
“Earning the 'Schools to Watch' recognition is a powerful reflection of the dedication and excellence Kenneth White Junior High demonstrates every day,” said Superintendent of Mission CISD – Dr. Cris Valdez. “I’m incredibly proud of our staff, students, and leadership for setting a standard of success that inspires the entire district!”
###