POTSDAM -- A. A. Kingston Middle School has been re-designated as an Essential Elements: School-to-Watch.

AAK is one of only twenty-six middle schools in New York State and 340 across the United States to receive this distinction.

The school received the honor after a year-long process which included the completion of a detailed application and submission of supporting evidence (Self-Rating and Reflection Rubric, narrative application, and the collection of evidence of best practices), and a site visit by members of the New York State Middle School Association to find evidence of the criteria in action to determine if the school embodies the “Seven Essential Elements of Middle-Level Education.”

The program is designed to recognize schools that demonstrate continuous improvement and excel in academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structure.

“A. A. Kingston was found to have a program that is academically excellent, developmentally responsive, socially equitable, and organized to ensure continuous improvement,” said Kingston School Principal Mark Bennett. “Our school is considered to be an exemplar of middle-level education!”

A team from the New York State Middle School Association will be visiting AAK in June for a public celebration.

“The continued support of our parents, local community organizations, Superintendent Brady, and the members of the Potsdam Central School District Board of Education is sincerely appreciated,” Bennett said.

This is the third time the school has received the designation, having been so named in 2009 and 2012.