Heber Elementary School and Kennedy Middle School recognized as 2023 California Schools to Watch

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced on Friday, February 10, that 77 high-performing California middle grades schools have been recognized in 2023 by the California Schools to Watch program, per a press release.

Heber Elementary School of Heber Elementary School District, and Kennedy Middle School of El Centro Elementary School District are listed as Redesignated 2023 California Schools to Watch, according to the release.

There are 36 new California Schools to Watch this year. An additional 41 schools reapplied to the program, demonstrated their sustained progress, and have been redesignated as 2023 California Schools to Watch. Altogether, there are now 186 California Schools to Watch, per the release.

According to the release, 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, it reads.

The 2023 schools will be recognized at the California Schools to Watch

Celebration in Monterey on March 9, 2023.

“Congratulations to these schools for building systems that support all students from all backgrounds and who bring a wealth of individual and family assets,” State Superintendent Thurmond said. “These middle grades students attend programs that help them believe in themselves, discover their interests, and work toward their academic, life, and career goals. These middle schools are exceptional role models of how educational innovation and an enthusiastic school community can keep students engaged and learning through a critical stage in their K–12 journey.”

These high-performing model schools demonstrate academic excellence, social equity, and responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents, the release reads.

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.

For more information about the program, please visit the California League of Educators California Schools to Watch web page.