Model middle ‘Schools to Watch’ honored

Three California middle schools that have distinguished themselves as models of academic excellence in responding to the needs of adolescents have been named as California’s “Schools to Watch—Taking Center Stage” model middle schools for 2008.

The schools were recognized for innovative practices that focused on academic excellence, developmental needs, equity for all students, and organizational processes that encourage and sustain students’ intellectual growth.

The honored schools are:

• Torch Middle School, Bassett Unified School District, Los Angeles County; Principal Joe Medina

• Alta Sierra Intermediate School, Clovis Unified School District, Fresno County; Principal Devin Blizzard

• Kastner Intermediate School, Clovis Unified School District, Fresno County; Principal Rick Watson

Each of the model schools met or exceeded the median Base Academic Performance Index of 724 for middle schools in 2006 or achieved all API growth targets for the previous three years. Additionally, schools that applied for the honor could be neither state monitored nor in Program Improvement status.

The three schools, which join 18 other schools selected in previous years, will be formally recognized at the annual California League of Middle Schools conference in Sacramento Feb. 29-March 2, where they will be able to showcase their accomplishments and network with other middle grades educators from around the state.

CSBA is a partner in the California Middle Grades Alliance that collaborates on the Schools to Watch programs. Led by the California League of Middle Schools, the collaborative also includes the Association of California School Administrators, the California Middle Grades Partnership Networks, the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, the California Teachers Association, California Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development and the California Department of Education.

California is one of 14 states working with the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform to select model middle schools.

Related links:

Take a virtual tour of California model middle schools @ www.clms.net

Visit the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform @ www.mgforum.org