Wantagh Middle School has once again been named a “School to Watch” — a prestigious honor that highlights excellence in academics, equity, and student support.
The redesignation, awarded through the national Essential Elements Schools to Watch program, comes three years after Wantagh Middle first received the recognition in 2023. Since then, the school has made improvements in several areas flagged in the original report, including team collaboration, data use and emotional wellness.
“This recognition is a testament to the work of our entire school community — teachers, staff, students and families,” Principal Anthony Ciuffo said.
Ciuffo and Assistant Principal Rachel Quattrocchi led the 46-page redesignation application, which focused on four core pillars: academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity and organizational structure.
In response to feedback, the school strengthened its grade-level teaming model, assigning all special-area teachers to teams and appointing team leaders to guide weekly “glows and grows” meetings focused on student progress. Science teacher Christen Bellucci now oversees all team leaders to ensure consistency across grades.
The school also adopted a Multi-Tiered System of Supports, or MTSS, to help tailor instruction and support based on student data. Two MTSS coordinators work closely with teachers to assess academic and social-emotional needs for every sixth, seventh and eighth grader.
Wantagh Middle’s social-emotional learning program was also revamped, now guided by two coordinators and supported by a monthly calendar of advisory prompts to foster meaningful conversation.
The redesignation process included a site visit from educators who met with administrators, teachers and students. Ciuffo and Quattrocchi, now certified evaluators themselves, said the biggest benefit of the program is the network it provides.
“We’re part of this group of middle schools around the state that are looking to support each other,” Ciuffo emphasized.
