TOM BEAN, TX - Tom Bean middle school is setting the standard for schools across the state and the nation. Jalah Gray shows us why the school was recently chosen as a national "school to watch".

"It's an awesome feeling to be recognized not only on the state level but on the national level as well." said teacher, Amy White.

Tom Bean Middle School is no stranger to state recognition. They've received several awards from the Texas Education Agency in the last few years, but recently when the school was chosen by the Texas Middle School Association as a state and national "School to Watch", principal Dewitt Smith says he realized how far they've come.

"We have a terrific staff, a staff that's committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure that our students are successful." Smith said.

Dewitt gives the credit to great teachers and students, but they say it all started with him.

"He came in here five years ago and he told us this is what we're going to do to get our kids up to where we want them, and he led us and we led our students." said teacher, Bobbie McAdoo.

"We believe that each kid can learn, and we work together collectively with our community to make sure each child is successful." White said.

The school was chosen for the national honor not only for academic excellence, but for commitment to the needs of students and teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction.

"They work each period from bell to bell to ensure that we're maximizing the student's time, and time is very precious when you're talking about a student trying to learn as much as possible." said Smith.

Teacher Amy White, says it's one big team effort between staff, students and parents.

"We developed a motto that says succeeding together whatever it takes, and we believe in that motto and we try to live it through our kids." White said.

The school will be showcased at the Texas Middle School Associations Annual Conference in Galveston in March, and at the National Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C. this June.