DOWNEY, CA - Nine of those schools in Los Angeles County are new, while 18 reapplied to the program and have been redesignated as 2023 California Schools to Watch. Statewide, there are now 186 California Schools to Watch according to the California Department of Education. 

“Congratulations to these high-achieving schools for creating programs that promote the academic performance and healthy development of young people,” said Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools. “They engage their communities in supporting all students’ learning and growth and have developed organizational structures that ensure that students leave middle school prepared for success in high school.” 

For example, Suzanne Middle School in the Walnut Valley Unified School District addresses school climate and character education through a comprehensive program that includes a Pals/Plus Programs of peer counseling and advisement and “Palamies,” 8th grade students serving as “pals” to 6th grade students. 

Clifton Middle School in the Monrovia School District holds Parent University nights five times per year to address topics of interest to the parent community and to assist them in supporting their students. Additionally, all English Learners at the school have an adult advocate who monitors progress and meets with students to support their needs. 

The 2023 schools will be recognized at the California Schools to Watch Celebration in Monterey on March 9, 2023. 

Newly Designated 2023 California Schools to Watch (Los Angeles County)  

• Adams Middle School, Redondo Beach Unified School District 
• Animo Florence-Firestone Charter Middle School, Los Angeles Unified School District 
• Hollencrest Middle School, West Covina Unified School District 
• Hosler Middle School, Lynwood Unified School District 
• ICEF Vista Middle Academy, Los Angeles Unified School District 
• Jefferson Middle School, San Gabriel Unified School District 
• Pleasant View Elementary School, Pleasant View Elementary School District 
• Prairie Vista Middle School, Hawthorne School District 
• STEAM Academy @ Burke, El Rancho Unified School District 

Redesignated 2023 California Schools to Watch (Los Angeles County)  

• Alondra Middle School, Paramount Unified School District 
• Alvarado Intermediate School, Rowland Unified School District 
• Arlie F. Hutchinson Middle School, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District 
• Carmenita Middle School, ABC Unified School District 
• Chaparral Middle School, Walnut Valley Unified School District 
• Clifton Middle School, Monrovia School District 
• El Segundo Middle School, El Segundo Unified School District 
• Haskell STEM Academy, ABC Unified School District 
• Hawthorne Middle School, Hawthorne School District 
• La Cañada High School (7–8), La Canada Unified School District 
• Leona Jackson Middle School, Paramount Unified School District 
• Los Alisos STEM Magnet Middle School, Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District 
• Louis Armstrong Middle School, Los Angeles Unified School District 
• Ross Academy of Creative and Media Arts Middle School, ABC Unified School District 
• South Pointe Middle School, Walnut Valley Unified School District 
• Suzanne Middle School, Walnut Valley Unified School District 
• Tetzlaff Accelerated Learning Academy, ABC Unified School District 
• Torch Middle School, Bassett Unified School District 

The California Schools to Watch program is sponsored by the California Department of Education, the California League of Educators, and the California Middle Grades Alliance in association with The National Forum. To earn this designation, schools must complete an extensive application and host a site visit by middle grades experts. In order to retain the designation, each school is reevaluated every three years. For more information about the program, please visit the California League of Educators California Schools to Watch web page.

CONTACT:

Van Nguyen, LACOE Public Information Officer, (562) 774-6156, Nguyen_Van@lacoe.edu.