FORT MILL MIDDLE SCHOOL DESIGNATED AS A SCHOOL TO WATCH

FORT MILL, SC — Fort Mill Middle School (FMMS) was designated a School to Watch by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. The school’s emphasis on strong academics, sensitivity to young adolescents’ needs and interests, and commitment to providing all students equal access to a high-quality education resulted in the well-deserved recognition.

FMMS was one of five South Carolina Schools to receive the designation for 2026. Schools are recognized for a three-year period, at the end of which they must apply for re-designation and demonstrate that they are continuing to meet the National Forum’s rigorous criteria.

To be selected as a Schools to Watch, schools need to be:

• Academically Excellent. Is the curriculum rigorous and relevant to the real world?
• Developmentally Responsive. Do students have a safe, healthy and personalized learning environment that is responsive to the unique needs and interests of young adolescents?
• Socially Equitable. Do all students have access to high-quality classes and the support they need to achieve at high levels?
• Organized with Supportive Structure. Is there shared leadership, collaborative learning communities, targeted professional development and effective organizational structures?

Schools to Watch are showcased as models throughout the state and the nation to promote their approaches to instruction, parent and community involvement, and professional development.

“This recognition belongs to the entire FMMS community—our dedicated educators, our hardworking students, and our supportive families,” said Principal Dr. Emily McQuay. “Being named a ‘School to Watch’ proves that when we align our efforts toward excellence, we create a space where students truly thrive. I couldn’t be prouder of the collective heart and soul that went into achieving this honor.”

FMMS will be recognized at the South Carolina Middle School Conference in Myrtle Beach on February 27-March 1, 2026 and this summer in Washington, DC at the National Schools to Watch Conference in June 2026.