POTSDAM, N.Y. -- A.A. Kingston Middle School has received one of the highest honors that can be given to a middle school. The New York State Middle School Association put Kingston on its list of Schools To Watch.
"It recognizes middle schools that are considered to be academically excellent, developmentally responsive to student needs, socially equitable, and organized in such a way that there's continual improvement,” said A.A. Kingston Middle School Principal Mark Bennett.
It took more than a full year for administrators to review and re-apply for the designation after being ranked two times before. Bennett said being on the list is still important even though it isn't the first time.
"For us, it's recognition that what we're doing, we're doing right. We're one of only 26 middle schools in New York State that have this designation. So it basically puts a stamp of approval saying, you know, the organization that you have in place is what's best for young adolescents."
Some of the students here at A.A. Kingston Middle School say it makes sense that their school was designated as one of New York State's School to Watch. Some of these students say it is great teachers and hands-on activities that really enhance their learning.
"The teachers make it really fun to learn. We usually just don't sit around reading a book all day," said A.A. Kingston Middle School 5th grader Ansen Herrick.
"We have really great teachers. They make some classes really fun and everything. And we get to do a lot of stuff. We get to do stuff that maybe some other schools don't get to do,” said 6th grader Luca Pecora.
"It's really awesome and we get to do a lot of projects in science and in math. It's challenging but not too challenging,” said 7th grader Levi Williams.
To make this designation official, school representatives will go to Washington, DC this summer and receive the honor at a conference.