52 high-performing California middle schools recognized
March 18, 2024
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond has announced that 52 high-performing California middle grades schools have been recognized as California Schools to Watch for 2024.
To earn this designation, schools must complete an extensive application and host a site visit by middle grades experts. To retain the designation, each school is reevaluated every three years.
There are 16 new California Schools to Watch this year. An additional 36 schools reapplied to the program, demonstrated their sustained progress, and have been redesignated as 2024 California Schools to Watch. Altogether, there are 200 California Schools to Watch.
“Congratulations to these exceptional schools for making a great impact on students. I want to thank the staff, administrators, teachers, families at these schools for ensuring all students get the education they need to realize their potential,” Thurmond said in a news release. “These schools are outstanding examples of how educational innovation and a dedicated school community can close opportunity gaps and keep students engaged and learning through a critical stage in their K–12 journey.”
The California Schools to Watch program is supported by the California Department of Education, the California League of Educators and the California Middle Grades Alliance in association with The National Forum.
Newly Designated 2024 California Schools to Watch
Bret Harte Middle School, Hayward USD, Alameda County
Bud Carson Middle School, Hawthorne Elementary School District, Los Angeles County
Cato Middle School, Bakersfield City School District, Kern County
Cedarlane Academy, Hacienda La Puente USD, Los Angeles County
Cesar Chavez Middle School, Lynwood USD, Los Angeles County
Edgewood IB School, West Covina USD, Los Angeles County
Fairgrove Academy, Hacienda La Puente USD, Los Angeles County
Laguna Middle School, San Luis Coastal USD, San Luis Obispo County
Mesa Robles Middle School, Hacienda La Puente USD, Los Angeles County
Mesa View Middle School, Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint USD, San Bernardino County
Rivera Middle Schools, El Rancho USD, Los Angeles County
Vaca Peña Middle School, Vacaville USD, Solano County
Valinda School of Academics, Hacienda La Puente USD, Los Angeles County
Walnut Grove Intermediate School, West Covina USD, Los Angeles County
William G. Jehue Middle School, Rialto USD, San Bernardino County
Winton Middle School, Hayward USD, Alameda County
Redesignated 2024 California Schools to Watch
Atascadero Middle School, Atascadero USD, San Luis Obispo County
Bell Intermediate School, Garden Grove USD, Orange County
Bernice Ayer Middle School, Capistrano USD, Orange County
Calavera Hills Middle School, Carlsbad USD, San Diego County
Castaic Middle School, Castaic Union Elementary School District, Los Angeles County
Clark Intermediate School, Clovis USD, Fresno County
De Anza Magnet School, El Centro Elementary School District, Imperial County
De Anza Middle School, Ontario Montclair School District, San Bernardino County
Enrique Camarena Jr. High School, Calexico USD, Imperial County
Fedde International Studies Academy, ABC USD, Los Angeles County
Frank M. Wright Middle School, Imperial USD, Imperial County
Fruitvale Junior High School, Fruitvale Elementary School District, Kern County
Golden Valley Middle School, San Bernardino City USD, San Bernardino County
Granite Ridge Intermediate School, Clovis USD, Fresno County
Griffiths Middle School, Downey USD, Los Angeles County
Hollydale Middle School, Paramount USD, Los Angeles County
John Burroughs Middle School, Los Angeles USD, Los Angeles County
Katherine L. Albiani Middle School, Elk Grove USD, Sacramento County
Kings Canyon Middle School, Fresno USD, Fresno County
Ladera Vista Junior High School of the Arts, Fullerton School District, Orange County
Lakeside Middle School, Little Lake City School District, Los Angeles County
Liberty Middle School, Lemoore Union Elementary School District, Kings County
Live Oak Middle School, Live Oak USD, Sutter County
Los Osos Middle School, San Luis Coastal USD, San Luis Obispo County
Luther Burbank Middle School, Los Angeles USD, Los Angeles County
Mary R. Stauffer Middle School, Downey USD, Los Angeles County
Mountain View Middle School, Moreno Valley USD, Riverside County
Pioneer Middle School, Tustin USD, Orange County
San Marcos Middle School, San Marcos USD, San Diego County
Sequoia Middle School, Fontana USD, San Bernardino County
Turlock Junior High School, Turlock School District, Stanislaus County
Twentynine Palms Junior High School, Morongo USD, San Bernardino County
Union Middle School, Union Elementary School District, Santa Clara County
Vanguard Preparatory School, Apple Valley School District, San Bernardino County
Vina Danks Middle School, Ontario Montclair School District, San Bernardino County
Woodrow Wilson Jr. High School, El Centro Elementary School District, Imperial County