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A program of the National Forum,
run by the California League of Middle Schools

California's 14th Congressional District

Schools to Watch (STW) is active in 22 states nationwide, creating a vibrant community of middle schools committed to achieving and sustaining success. STW recognizes schools that demonstrate a trajectory toward excellence while fostering a culture of innovation, growth, and continuous improvement.

2026 Highlights
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Anthony Ochoa Middle School

★ 2026 NEWLY DESIGNATED

Makilia Rowe-Andrews, Principal

(510) 723-3130

2121 Depot Rd, Hayward, CA 94545, USA

Hayward Unified School District

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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Anthony Ochoa Middle School coordinates data-informed instruction and intervention, consistent advisory and student check-ins, and family and community partnerships to support academic growth and student well-being. Staff use these connected systems to identify needs, provide timely intervention, and create meaningful opportunities. Students gain multiple pathways to build confidence, explore interests, strengthen relationships, and develop a lasting sense of belonging.

✓ PLCs use shared assessments and student data to plan targeted instruction and intervention.

✓ Advisory and mentoring provide regular check-ins, goal setting, and relationship-building.

✓ Family and community partnerships expand student support, enrichment, and engagement.

★ Annual community traditions include Million Fathers March, quarterly Parent Days, family movie nights, and literacy and science events.

Thomas S. Hart Middle School

↻ 2026 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL

Caroline Fields, Principal

(925) 426-3012

4433 Willow Road, Pleasanton, CA 94588

Pleasanton Unified School District

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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Thomas S. Hart Middle School coordinates college-and-career preparation, a coordinated multi-tiered support system, and family and community partnerships to support academic growth and student well-being. Staff use these connected systems to identify needs, provide timely intervention, and create meaningful opportunities. Students gain multiple pathways to build confidence, explore interests, strengthen relationships, and develop a lasting sense of belonging.

✓ AVID and college-and-career programs build organization, academic confidence, and future readiness.

✓ A schoolwide MTSS framework coordinates academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support.

✓ Family and community partnerships expand student support, enrichment, and engagement.

★ Hart organizes its improvement work around three pillars: Culture, Craft, and Essentials.

Christensen Middle School

↻ 2025 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL

Brian Scharmann, Principal

925 606-4702

5757 Haggin Oaks Avenue, Livermore, CA 94551

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Christensen Middle School combines collaborative professional learning communities, a coordinated MTSS framework, and student leadership and enrichment to strengthen academic growth, student well-being, and belonging. Staff use these connected systems to identify needs, provide timely intervention, and create meaningful opportunities. Students gain multiple pathways to build confidence, explore interests, strengthen relationships, and develop a lasting sense of belonging.

✓ PLCs use shared assessments and student data to plan targeted instruction and intervention.

✓ A schoolwide MTSS framework coordinates academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support.

✓ A coordinated schoolwide practice provides focused support and meaningful opportunities for students.

★ Utilizing the 5 Star Students software, staff not only track student involvement but also leverage this data to customize co-curricular opportunities that align with their interests and passions.

Harvest Park Middle School

★ 2025 NEWLY DESIGNATED

Russell Campisi, Principal

925-410-4444

4900 Valley Ave., Pleasanton, CA 94582

Pleasanton Unified School District

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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Harvest Park Middle School combines collaborative professional learning communities, schoolwide PBIS, and clubs and enrichment to strengthen academic growth, student well-being, and belonging. Staff use these connected systems to identify needs, provide timely intervention, and create meaningful opportunities for students. Through supportive relationships, enrichment, and shared expectations, students build confidence, explore interests, strengthen skills, and develop a lasting sense of belonging.

✓ PLCs use shared assessments and student data to plan targeted instruction and intervention.

✓ Counseling and wellness services provide coordinated social-emotional and behavioral support.

✓ French Club connects academic learning with real-world problem-solving and career exploration.

★ On a Roll recognition celebrates English learner reclassification, 4.0 GPAs, honor roll achievement, and grade improvement.

Bret Harte Middle School

★ 2024 NEWLY DESIGNATED

Seana Condit-Gordon, Principal

(510) 723-3100

1047 E Street, Hayward, CA 94541

Hayward Unified School District

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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Bret Harte Middle School combines AVID and college-readiness systems, social-emotional learning, and family engagement to strengthen academic growth, student well-being, and belonging. Staff use these connected systems to identify needs, provide timely intervention, and create meaningful opportunities for students. Through supportive relationships, enrichment, and shared expectations, students build confidence, explore interests, strengthen skills, and develop a lasting sense of belonging.

✓ Project-based STEM, STEAM, and CTE experiences connect learning with real-world problem-solving.

✓ Counseling and wellness services provide coordinated social-emotional and behavioral support.

✓ Family and community partnerships expand student support, enrichment, and engagement.

★ Eighth graders can take Advanced Engineering, Advanced Art, STEM, Newspaper and Multimedia, AVID, and Puente courses.

Winton Middle School

★ 2024 NEWLY DESIGNATED

Lisa Tess, Principal

(510) 723-3140

119 West Winton Avenue, Hayward, CA, USA

Hayward Unified School District

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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

Winton Middle School combines career and technical education pathways, social-emotional learning, and music programs to strengthen academic growth, student well-being, and belonging. Staff use these connected systems to identify needs, provide timely intervention, and create meaningful opportunities for students. Through supportive relationships, enrichment, and shared expectations, students build confidence, explore interests, strengthen skills, and develop a lasting sense of belonging.

✓ A coordinated schoolwide practice provides focused support and meaningful opportunities for students.

✓ Counseling and wellness services provide coordinated social-emotional and behavioral support.

✓ Arts and music programs build creativity, teamwork, confidence, and opportunities for performance.

★ Another student who cannot only convert fractions to decimals but can translate decimals into percentages may have an entry task requiring them to solve a word problem.

East Avenue Middle School

★ 2023 NEWLY DESIGNATED

Mark Neal, Principal

(925) 606-4711

3951 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

East Avenue Middle School combines collaborative planning, targeted intervention, and broad opportunities for student connection. Professional Learning Communities align essential standards, assessments, rubrics, and reteaching, while regular data analysis identifies needs and measures the impact of support. A Wellness Center, tiered social-emotional services, clubs, intramurals, social events, and student-planned recognitions help create an inclusive and responsive school community.

✓ PLCs align essential standards, common assessments, rubrics, and reteaching.

✓ The Wellness Center provides tiered social-emotional support.

✓ Clubs, intramurals, and social events strengthen student connection.

★ Students help plan recognitions that celebrate the contributions of their diverse peers.

William Mendenhall Middle School

★ 2023 NEWLY DESIGNATED

Garrett Fitch, Principal

(925) 606-4731

1701 El Padro Dr, Livermore, CA 94550

Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District

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SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT

William Mendenhall Middle School combines collaborative professional learning communities, social-emotional learning, and student leadership to strengthen academic growth, student well-being, and belonging. Staff use these connected systems to identify needs, provide timely intervention, and create meaningful opportunities for students. Through supportive relationships, enrichment, and shared expectations, students build confidence, explore interests, strengthen skills, and develop a lasting sense of belonging.

✓ PLCs use shared assessments and student data to plan targeted instruction and intervention.

✓ Counseling and wellness services provide coordinated social-emotional and behavioral support.

✓ Student leadership and voice shape school activities, decision-making, and community culture.

★ Not only have students’ academic levels improved, but their confidence level and excitement for school have improved as well.

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