"The Georgia Lighthouse

Schools to Watch program has recognized those outstanding schools that

promote academic excellence for all students, while responding to the

unique developmental needs of young adolescents," said John Lounsbury,

Co-Chair of the Georgia program. Linda Hopping, Co-Chair with Dr. Lounsbury,

elaborated, "We are eager to share with other schools around our

state ­ and around the nation ­ the work of these schools and

the excellent and equitable programs and practices they have instituted

that are uniquely suited to middle level students," she said.

Crabapple Middle School, as

a result of this recognition, will present a showcase on the school at

the Georgia Middle School Association conference in Savannah on February

20-21, 2003.

They will also participate

in an official recognition ceremony at the general session. Next November

the school will be a "Showcase School" at the National Middle

School Association annual conference in Atlanta, November 6-8, 2003.

This conference typically draws

9,000 middle level educators from throughout the country. The school will

be featured in a video that will be distributed and used by both the National

Forum and the Georgia Middle School Association, will be on the web sites

of both of those organizations, as well as the State Department of Education

web site, and will serve as a mentor for other schools aspiring to this

status.

"We are so pleased that

our 'Schools to Watch' program has shown others that we can meet high

academic expectations while preserving our commitment to healthy development

and equity for all students," said Deborah Kasak, National Forum

Executive Director.

"Crabapple Middle School

is indeed special; they make education so exciting that students and teachers

don't want to miss a day. These middle grades schools have proven that

it is possible to overcome barriers to achieving excellence, to become

places of learning that adults and children truly want to be a part of,"

Kasak said.

The National Forum sponsors

the "Schools to Watch" state program with the support of members,

the National Association for Elementary School Principals, the National

Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Middle School

Association, and the National Staff Development Council.