Two Allegheny County middle schools are celebrating after claiming the title as two of the nation's "Schools to Watch."

Avonworth Middle School and South Allegheny Middle School are among six Pennsylvania schools to earn the distinction from the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the Pennsylvania Middle School Association, Duquesne University and Lehigh University.

The PA Don Eichhorn Schools: "Schools to Watch" award is given to schools for exceeding 37 criteria and for successful academic strategies, said Sidney Alvarez, spokesman for the Avonworth School District.

Winners were selected by educational leaders based upon a variety of criteria including written application, examination of school performance and interviews with staff, students and parents.