Upper St. Clair Recognized Nationally for Outstanding Middle Schools

The honor was presented during the National Schools to Watch Conference, held June 25-27, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

The award recognizes school districts that have successfully guided all of their middle schools to earn and maintain Schools to Watch designation. Upper St. Clair’s Boyce and Fort Couch middle schools continue to meet the program's rigorous standards for academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational effectiveness.

To qualify for the District Achievement Award, every middle school in a district must first earn and maintain individual Schools to Watch status through a comprehensive 37-item evaluation process.

Boyce and Fort Couch were first recognized as Schools to Watch in 2008. Since then, both schools have successfully earned redesignation every three years—in 2011, 2014, 2017, 2020, 2023 and most recently in 2026.

“This recognition is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our students, educators, staff, families and community to creating exceptional learning environments for our learners,” Dr. John Rozzo, superintendent of schools, said. “Maintaining Schools to Watch designation for nearly two decades at both of our middle schools is an extraordinary accomplishment and reflects our shared commitment to ensuring every student is supported, challenged and empowered to succeed.”

Schools that have earned Schools to Watch designation represent diverse communities and educational settings, but they share a common commitment to helping every student belong, learn and thrive during the critical middle school years.

“When you walk on a School to Watch campus in any state, you feel the difference,” Cathy Perry, National Forum executive director, said. “Students can’t wait to tell you about their school. Parents line up to meet with the visiting Schools to Watch team. Teachers work together and have camaraderie. Administrators are true instructional leaders. The Schools to Watch program has shown that when you take care of students and staff, everyone is motivated to learn at higher levels.”