In recognition of its continuous commitment to growth, Wantagh Middle School has again been recognized in the Essential Elements Schools to Watch program. 

Following its initial designation in 2023, the school received a report listing areas of strength and recommendations for improvement. The 2026 redesignation is a testament to the work of school administrators, teachers, support staff and students.

The 46-page redesignation application, prepared by Principal Anthony Ciuffo and Assistant Principal Rachel Quattrocchi, spotlights the school through four core areas – academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, organizational structure and social equity. It also highlights enhancements that have been made based on recommendations in the 2023 report.

One of the recommendations was improving the teaming model. Over the last three years, Wantagh Middle School has added team leaders and assigned all special area teachers to a team. Each team meets twice a week to highlight achievements and discuss areas of student improvement, a practice known as “glows and grows.” Science teacher Christen Bellucci oversees all of the grade-level team leaders to ensure consistency. 

Another recommendation was increasing its use of data to make instructional decisions. The school has since implemented Multi-Tiered System of Supports, a research-based approach to ensure every child receives the level of support he or she needs to succeed. There are two MTSS coordinators who meet with teams to discuss data, which is gathered through assessments, observations and anecdotal evidence, and create individual plans for every sixth, seventh and eighth grader. 

Wantagh Middle School has also created a stronger social-emotional learning program. While it has always been a priority, Mr. Ciuffo said the program is now more unified, led by two coordinators, and includes a monthly calendar with daily talking points during advisory periods. The goal is to engage students in conversation while giving them tools to improve their emotional well-being. 

The Schools to Watch redesignation included a site visit from other educators. They toured the building, visited classrooms and had discussions with different groups including central administration, teachers, student services professionals and students. 

“It was an opportunity for them to walk the building and also to check in with all stakeholders to get their view on all of the changes that we’ve made,” Ms. Quattrocchi said. “A lot of our goals were based on the original Schools to Watch designation process. The driving force behind the program is continuous improvement.”

Mr. Ciuffo received an email about a week later announcing the decision as well as a report listing strengths and new recommendations. 

“That list of recommendations helps us to form our vision for the next three years,” Mr. Ciuffo said. “Now, we look for the future and we’ll continue to make our school stronger and offer more and more for our students.”

After the initial designation, Mr. Ciuffo and Ms. Quattrocchi became certified evaluators and were among the educators to visit neighboring Seaford Middle School when it was designated a School to Watch in 2024. The Wantagh administrators said that the biggest asset of the designation is the connections formed with other educators. 

“We have a network around the state of all other Schools to Watch that we can reach out to for resources and ideas,” Mr. Ciuffo said. “We’re part of this group of middle schools around the state that are looking to support each other.”