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SAN DIEGO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell has named de Portola Middle School in Tierrasanta one of California’s 2006 Schools to Watch- Taking Center Stage model middle schools. De Portola is one of only four middle schools in the state to earn that designation.
The Schools to Watch- Taking Center State model middle schools all have replicable practices in academic excellence, responsiveness to the developmental needs of young adolescents, fair and equitable education for all students, and organizational processes and procedures that foster and sustain academic growth.
“We are thrilled to be named as a 'Schools to Watch' model middle school,” said de Portola Principal Elizabeth Gillingham. “Having this honor occur the same year we’re celebrating our 20th Anniversary further supports the long-standing commitment made by our parents, students, teachers, and staff members to create a climate and culture that supports excellent teaching and learning in every single classroom.”
O’Connell praised de Portola and the other schools for exemplifying the criteria for a high-performing middle school in spite of a variety of difficult challenges. “The model middle schools designated under this collaborative program not only educate their own students well but have accepted the responsibility of helping other schools. That makes these four schools doubly commendable.”
As part of the designation process, schools submitted an application and completed a self-assessment last fall; each site was visited by a review team during January. Implementation of the recommendations and guidance given in California’s middle grades handbook, Taking Center Stage, were some of the primary factors considered during the application process.
The minimum eligibility criteria for this year’s designees was to have attained a 2004 Base Academic Performance Index (API) of at least 696 (the state’s median API in 2004 for middle schools) or meet all API growth targets for the previous three years. In addition to these indicators of academic growth, the schools conducted an extensive self-study, completed a narrative application, and hosted a visitation team to their site. Designated models have strong articulated practices for diverse student populations that other middle schools can replicate.
The other designees are Dana Middle School (Wiseburn School District, Hawthorne, Los Angeles County); McKinleyville Middle School (McKinleyville Union School District, McKinleyville, Humboldt County); and Johnson Middle School (Elk Grove Unified School District, Elk Grove, Sacramento County)
Formal recognition will be given to the model schools, which join 10 other schools selected in previous cycles, at the annual California League of Middle Schools Conference in San Jose, March 9-12. There, the four schools will be given their first opportunity to showcase themselves and network with other middle schools from around the state.
The California League of Middle Schools is the lead organization for the program. California is one of 15 states working with the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform to select model middle schools. Additional information about the National Forum may be obtained at http://www.mgforum.org/.
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About de Portola Middle School
The mission of de Portola Middle School is to provide an outstanding instructional program that is standards-based and prepares all students for continued success in their secondary years. The school’s teachers, counselors, administrators, librarians, custodians, aides, and secretaries create a “professional family” that works toward excellence in a collaborative and caring environment. In April 2003, de Portola received a California Distinguished School Award.
About San Diego City Schools
Serving approximately 135,000 students, San Diego City Schools (SDCS) is the second largest school district in California, with 200 educational facilities and more than 14,500 full-time equivalent positions (representing more than 18,800 employees). The district is committed to accelerating gains in student performance, supporting schools and enhancing the classroom learning environment through modernized facilities and resources. SDCS also seeks to strengthen parent, community and higher education support of the educational process.
About California’s Schools To Watch—Taking Center Stage
California’s Schools To Watch—Taking Center Stage program is a collaborative endeavor of nine organizations that form the California Middle Grades Alliance: the California League of Middle Schools, the Association of California School Administrators, the California School Boards Association, the California Teachers Association, the California Middle Grades Partnership Network, the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee of the California County Superintendents Educational Association, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), and the California Department of Education.
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