Los Angeles, CA (Feb. 13, 2023) – Animo Florence-Firestone Charter Middle School, ICEF Vista Middle Academy and Louis Armstrong Middle School have been named 2023 California Schools to Watch, according to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond’s recent announcement
The designation is awarded to schools for demonstrating academic excellence, social equity and responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents. According to Mr. Thurmond, the schools provide programs that, “help [students] 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.”
“Congratulations to the three Los Angeles Unified middle schools named 2023 California Schools to Watch,” Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said. “Middle school is a critical time in the academic, social, physical and psychological development of students. These schools represent the best of middle school education and are emblematic of the pedagogy and programming for which we are striving.”
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. The 2023 schools will be recognized at the California Schools to Watch Celebration in Monterey on March 9, 2023.
“The middle school years are an essential time in a child’s life, and we are proud of our local schools that are demonstrating how to set up our students for future success,” Board President Jackie Goldberg said. “I congratulate the selected schools for the recognition of their groundbreaking work and for creating an example for California and our other schools here at Los Angeles Unified to follow.”
“I want to congratulate the entire school communities of all 186 schools being honored as California Schools to Watch in 2023 by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond,” Board Vice President Scott M. Schmerelson said. “This is a particularly important recognition, given the many challenges everyone faced during the pandemic.”
“We are so proud to see three Los Angeles Unified middle schools on the California Schools to Watch list of 2023: Animo Florence Firestone Public Charter, ICEF Vista Middle Academy and Louis Armstrong Middle School,” Board Member Dr. Rocío Rivas said. “As we continue to invest in neighborhood, public schools that nurture our students academically and socially, we strengthen our communities and our entire network of schools.”
“Congratulations to all of the middle schools on this well-deserved recognition – especially ICEF Vista Middle Academy in Board District 4,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “Our work continues to ensure that every child in LA Unified has access to a high-performing middle school program that meets their needs and sets them up for success.”
“We are so excited for our Los Angeles Unified middle schools named the 2023 Schools to Watch,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “These schools and their staff have gone above and beyond to provide an educational experience that centers academic excellence, social equity and the needs of our students. Together they remind us that Los Angeles Unified schools are places of innovation and joy.”
“Congratulations to all the selected schools – especially Animo-Florence Firestone Charter Middle School in Board District 7– for being recognized as a High-Performing Middle School by the California Schools Watch Program 2023.” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “Thank you for being an example to our district for demonstrating academic excellence, social equity and responsiveness to our scholars, which we know will prepare them well for college, career and life!”
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