The National Forum established criteria that are the basis for the Schools to Watch Program®. The program focuses on school improvement efforts characterized by a continuous trajectory toward success.

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The Schools to Watch program has state directors in 20 states: Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Indiana | Kentucky | Michigan | New Jersey | New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | South Carolina | Texas | Utah | Virginia

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If your state is not listed above, please use the National Schools to Watch Application.

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2026 STW Applications

You can download your state's application instructions through the links above. Applications are normally due in the Fall, but you can contact your State Director (through the links above) for specific due dates for each state.

 

Steps to becoming designated as a Schools to Watch

 

1. Download your state's application instructions through the links above (coming soon).

2. Request access and complete the Schools to Watch Self-Study & Rating Rubric.

3. Download the FREE Schools to Watch Toolkit.

 

As an alternative, you may contact your State Director. If your state does not currently have a State Director, please download the National Schools to Watch Application. If you are interested in becoming a State Director (or know someone who might be interested), please contact us.

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Not quite ready to become a Schools to Watch? Use the Schools to Watch Self-Study & Rating Rubric for school improvement.

 

The rubric is available to share with your administration and faculty if you should want to use it as a school improvement tool without applying for recognition at this time.

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The National Forum offers a FREE Schools to Watch Toolkit to guide you through the Schools to Watch Self-Study & Rating Rubric and the STW application process. 

 

 

You can also join us in Washington, D.C., June 26-28, 2025, for the National STW Conference, and learn about the process from those who have done it before!