The State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Landmark Middle School and Sunnymead Middle School as 2023 Schools to Watch.
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.
Landmark and Sunnymead middle schools were two out of 77 high-performing California middle grades schools to be recognized this year.
“We are so proud of this redesignation,” said Superintendent Dr. Martinrex Kedziora. “The work does not stop once we get the first designation as a School to Watch. Our schools continue to go above and beyond for our students to ensure they are prepared for college or career and successful life.”
These high-performing model schools demonstrate academic excellence, social equity, and responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents.
“When our schools apply to the program to be considered as a School to Watch, we are affirming our commitment to providing an excellent educational experience for our future leaders,” said School Board President Susan Smith. “We are proud to say that all six of our middle schools are considered Schools to Watch.”
“Congratulations to these schools for building systems that support all students from all backgrounds and who bring a wealth of individual and family assets,” 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.”
The 2023 schools were recognized at the California Schools to Watch Celebration in Monterey on March 9, 2023. For more information about the program, please visit the California League of Educators California Schools to Watch web page.