JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley Middle School has been named as a “school to watch.”

The middle school is one of 11 middle-grade schools in the state to be named in the 2017 Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools: “Schools to Watch” as part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform.

“The program is an partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education, Duquesne University, Edinboro University, Shippensburg University, Horace Mann Service Corporation and Vibra Life,” according to a news release from the Seneca Valley School District.

Seneca Valley Middle School was named in the “Schools to Watch” program in 2011, then received redesignation in 2014.

“We are very fortunate,” said middle school principal Bob Ceh. “Our staff works extremely hard to lead and guide our students in a supportive, caring and educational atmosphere. We are honored to be recognized and selected through this rigorous process by the Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools to Watch Committee.”

Ceh, assistant principal Robert Raso and dean of students Larry Wendereusz were recognized by the school district’s board of directors Monday evening for their efforts and were given certificates.

“It’s very important in the ‘Schools to Watch’ process that everybody who works in that building (middle school) supports kids,” Ceh said. “That’s part of what this is about.”

The middle school will join 34 other Pennsylvania middle-grade schools recognized over the history of the program during the Pennsylvania Association for Middle Level Education State Conference in State College on Feb. 26.

Seneca Valley will also be recognized nationally with all the other “Schools to Watch” from across the nation in Washington, D.C., at the National Forum’s National Schools to Watch conference from June 22 to 24.

The middle school is one of seven in the state to earn a redesignation for 2017. Four received their first designation this year.

State leaders selected each school for their “academic excellence, its responsiveness to the needs and interests of young adolescents and its commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels.”

Schools are recognized for a three-year period. To be redesignated, a school must demonstrate progress on specific goals.

“This is a building award with credit going to every adult that plays a role in the operation of the building and all of the students that invest their efforts into their academics and our school,” Ceh said.