Culver City Middle School was selected as one of only 15 exemplary middle-grade schools in California. Named “Schools to Watch” as part of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform’s signature program, CCMS joined a select few to receive the honor.
Each learning facility was chosen by state leaders for academic excellence, responsiveness to the needs and interests of young adolescents, and a commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels.
CCMS’s strong leadership played an important part in claiming the honor. The teachers work together to improve the curriculum, show a commitment to assessment and accountability and continue to seek improvement in all areas of education.
“These schools demonstrate that high-performing middle grades schools have a clear focus on academic growth and achievement,” said Linda Hopping, Chair of the National Forum’s Schools to Watch Oversight Committee.
“They also recognize the importance of meeting the needs of all of their students and ensuring that each and every child has access to a rigorous, high-quality education. We are proud to have these schools serve as models from which others can learn.”
The selection process was based on a written submission requiring eligible schools to showcase their resourceful ways of implementing criteria developed by the Forum.
Schools that appeared to meet the standards were visited by state teams to further evaluate the curriculum. The assessment teams observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students, and parents.
In addition achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons were evaluated.
Schools are recognized for a three-year period, and at the end of the term must repeat the process in order to be re-designated.
CCMS was one of fifty-seven schools recognized to have maintained or increased their levels of excellence and were re-designated.
“We are pleased that our Schools to Watch program has shown that middle-grades schools can meet high academic standards while preserving a commitment to healthy development and equity for all students,” said Dr. Deborah Kasak, Forum executive director.
“These “Schools to Watch” are indeed special; they make education so exciting that students and teachers don’t want to miss a day. These schools have proven that it is possible to overcome barriers to achieving excellence, and any middle-grades school in any state can truly learn from their examples.”