HILLSBORO (March 1, 2013)--HISD’s Hillsboro Junior High campus was recognized Friday by the Texas Middle Schools Association for its academic excellence, just a few years after being deemed “academically unacceptable” by the Texas Education Agency.

The school attributes their latest success to the effort of the teachers to engage their students and to the Schlechty Center.

According to the Schlechty organization, they are a private, nonprofit organization committed to partnering with school leaders across the country to transform classrooms, schools, and school districts from places focused on compliance to those focused on engagement.

The school was one of six in the state recognized Friday in Arlington as a “School to Watch” for its academic excellence and developmental improvements.

The school will also be honored in June at the National Schools to Watch conference in Washington, D.C.