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(L-R) Cockrill student Cassidy Jenkins, Cockrill Instructional Coach Judy Mercer, Cockrill student Sophia Mostafavi, Principal Jenny Zornes and State Director for Schools to Watch in Texas Billy Pringle announce to the students of Cockrill Middle School that CMS has been re-designated once again as a Texas School to Watch.

McKinney, Texas — The National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP), as part of a national recognition program, have re-designated Cockrill Middle School as a Texas School to Watch, making Cockrill one of about only 70 middle schools in Texas to earn the recognition this year. 2024 marks the third time that Cockrill has been re-designated, since its initial designation in 2015.

At a Cockrill pep rally on April 12, State Director for Schools to Watch in Texas Billy Pringle joined Principal Jenny Zornes at the foot of the bleachers in the school’s gymnasium to unfurl a banner proclaiming the news.

“It is clear to me, this is one of the best middle schools in the state of Texas without a doubt,” Pringle told the assembled students, teachers and parents. “Cockrill Middle School has been a School to Watch close to 10 years now. What that means is Cockrill Middle School has earned the right to be distinguished and designated as a School to Watch, one of the best middle schools in Texas, one of about 70 … so this is a great honor.’

The Schools to Watch selection process is based on a written application that requires schools to show how they meet criteria developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Schools that appear to meet the criteria are then visited by state teams, which observe classrooms, interview administrators, teachers, students and parents, and look at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work.

Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of three years, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals in order to be re-designated. The Schools to Watch program requires schools to not just identify strengths, but to also focus on areas of continuous improvement; thus, the three-year re-designation.

“Schools to Watch is such a prestigious honor and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the entire school community,” said Principal Jenny Zornes. “The CMS staff continues to maintain the high expectations academically and socially for our students on a daily basis. I am so proud of our entire school community and our accomplishment to maintain this recognition!”

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