Northridge’s Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School Honored as California “School to Watch”

The State Superintendent identified 49 successful schools statewide that others should attempt to emulate.

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Wednesday announced 49 California middle schools, including Northridge’s Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School as “schools to watch.”

The Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage program recognizes “high- performing model schools (that) demonstrate academic excellence, social equity, and responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents,” according to the California Department of Education.

Of the 49 schools on the list, 16 are newly designed “schools to watch.” They join 33 previously chosen schools “whose sustained progress” will allow them to retain the designation, according to the DOE.

The newly designated schools list includes:

— John Burroughs Middle School, Los Angeles Unified School District;

— Las Palmas Middle School, Covina-Valley Unified School District;

— Nicolas Junior High School, Fullerton School District;

— Wendy Lopour Doty Middle School, Downey Unified School District; and

— Santiago Charter Middle School, Orange Unified School District.

The re-designated schools include:

— Frank J. Zamboni Middle School, Paramount Unified School District;

— Lake Center Middle School in Santa Fe Springs, Little Lake City School District;

— Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills, Las Virgenes Unified School District;

— Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School, Los Angeles Unified School District;

— Pioneer Middle School, Tustin Unified School District;

— Ross Academy of Creative and Media Arts Middle School in Artesia, ABC Unified School District;

— South Pointe Middle School in Walnut, Walnut Valley Unified School District;

— Thurston Middle School, Laguna Beach Unified School District; and

— Yorba Linda Middle School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District.

“These middle schools make a great impact on students, and I want to thank the staff, administrators, teachers and parents at these schools for ensuring all students get the education they need to realize their potential,” Thurmond said. “These schools study and support students’ needs, which helps close achievement gaps and creates a better future for these young students.”