Cambria Heights earns recognition

Middle school honored as a ‘Don Eichhorn Schools: School to watch’

PATTON -- Making advancements from an educational standpoint can be a difficult task, especially amid a pandemic.

But through the use of Google Classroom and other online techniques, the Cambria Heights Middle School was able to take the next step forward in modern education.

For its efforts, the school was recognized by state officials during a ceremony Friday for its third-straight redesignation as a Don Eichhorn Schools: School to Watch.

"This really validates the good things we're doing here, and it allows us to focus on continuous improvement," Cambria Heights Middle School Principal Jarrod Lewis said. "We want to make sure we're doing the best we can for our students, and this process helps us do that. Even with the unprecedented challenges this year, this shows that we are able to rise to that challenge and succeed."

Cambria Heights has been recognized as a School to Watch for the past nine years, and it is the only district in the region that has been honored in that time.

Schools are redesignated every three years, and after receiving its first designation in 2012, it was subsequently honored in 2015 and 2018.

Cambria Heights was redesignated for the third time Friday and is one of only 41 active schools currently recognized statewide.

Schools in contention for Schools to Watch status are graded on four criteria -- academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structures and processes.

Bruce Vosburgh, director of Pennsylvania's Schools to Watch chapter, said Cambria Heights was proficient in all four categories.

"We don't look at test scores," Vosburgh said. "We look at programs and other things schools are doing to really engage students and provide a well-rounded education."

Staff at Cambria Heights were praised by state officials for their efforts in converting to a virtual learning format during COVID-19.

Through the use of Google Classroom, school administrators said learning never ceased as the building was shut down as part of mitigation efforts for the pandemic.

Lewis said the district also provided WiFi jetpacks for families with poor internet connection at home, and each student was given a computer or tablet to complete their assignments.

"The teachers really put us first and do everything they can for us," eighth-grader Maria Wendekier said. "I think that I got the best learning experience that I could this year."

Vosburgh said the school was also lauded for its numerous student activities.

The school's arts programs particularly impressed officials, he said, in addition to its diverse range of activities for students.

"There's a lot of different opportunities for students," eighth-grade student Kendra Karabinos said. "We have a lot of different clubs and activities, and there's really something here for everyone."

While the school's faculty was commended, Vosburgh said the engagement from students separated the school from others.

Lewis said there was an "overwhelming support" from students and parents as the school navigated various in-person and virtual models of learning.

"It's really a family atmosphere here," eighth-grader Marshall Eckenrode said. "Everyone here helps one another, and that's what makes Cambria Heights so special."