A program of the National Forum,
run by the California League of Middle Schools
California's 20th 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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Alta Sierra Intermediate School
↻ 2026 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Jennifer Carter, Principal
(559) 327-3500
380 West Teague, Clovis, CA 93619
Clovis Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Alta Sierra Intermediate School combines AVID schoolwide strategies, collaborative PLCs, flexible scheduling, and targeted intervention to support academic and personal growth. Teachers use common assessments and WICOR practices to strengthen instruction, while counseling, MTSS, peer leadership, clubs, arts, and athletics build connection. Students receive multiple pathways for enrichment, timely support, character development, and meaningful participation in the school community.
✓ PLCs meet twice weekly to analyze data and design common assessments.
✓ Flexible math intervention provides targeted support through six-week placement cycles.
✓ AVID WICOR strengthens writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading.
★ Block scheduling gives students extended learning periods while preserving four weekly meetings with mathematics teachers.
Clovis Community Day School
★ 2026 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Casey Olson, Principal
559-327-1980
1715 David E Cook Way, Clovis, CA 93611, USA
Clovis Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Clovis Community Day School coordinates layered academic intervention, positive-behavior and restorative practices, 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 for students. Through supportive relationships, enrichment, and shared expectations, students build confidence, explore interests, strengthen skills, and develop a lasting sense of belonging.
✓ Targeted academic intervention provides timely support for students needing additional help.
✓ PBIS and restorative practices reinforce clear expectations, reflection, accountability, and positive relationships.
✓ Family and community partnerships expand student support, enrichment, and engagement.
★ The school is the first alternative-education school in California—and nationally—to earn Schools to Watch recognition.
Fairmont School
↻ 2025 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Jared Savage, Principal
559-524-6120
3095 North Greenwood, Sanger, CA 93657
Sanger Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Fairmont School combines collaborative professional learning communities, social-emotional learning, 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.
✓ Social Emotional Learning provides coordinated social-emotional and behavioral support.
✓ Technology-rich learning expands access, collaboration, creativity, and digital skills.
★ Agricultural partnerships build students’ technical and entrepreneurial skills while creating pathways to future careers.
La Joya Middle School
★ 2025 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Andrew Bishop, Principal
559-730-7921
4711 W La Vida Ave, Visalia, CA 93277
Visalia Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
La Joya Middle School combines collaborative professional learning communities, social-emotional learning, and arts and performance opportunities 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.
✓ Integrated English learner supports strengthen language development and access to grade-level instruction.
✓ Performing Arts builds creativity, teamwork, confidence, and performance skills.
★ English learners showed growth on both i-Ready and CAASPP assessments.
Norris Middle School
★ 2025 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Amy Sawaske, Principal
661-387-7060
6990 Calloway Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93312
Norris School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Norris Middle School combines AVID and college-readiness systems, social-emotional learning, 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.
✓ AVID and college-and-career programs build organization, academic confidence, and future readiness.
✓ Counseling and wellness services provide coordinated social-emotional and behavioral support.
✓ Student leadership and voice shape school activities, decision-making, and community culture.
★ Budget issues faced by the school that impact middle-grades programing: Norris Middle School is the only campus within the Norris School District that does not qualify for Title I funding.
Quail Lake Environmental Charter
↻ 2025 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Haley Marquez, Principal
(559) 524-6720
4087 North Quail Lake Drive , Clovis, CA 93619
Sanger Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Quail Lake Environmental Charter 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.
✓ Arts and music programs build creativity, teamwork, confidence, and opportunities for performance.
✓ Student leadership and voice shape school activities, decision-making, and community culture.
★ Schools to Watch Status Quail Lake Environmental Charter School is one of three K-8 schools within the Sanger Unified School District, but the only school which implements a charter developed around environmental sciences.
Reyburn Intermediate School
↻ 2025 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Ryan Eisele, Principal
559-327-4500
2901 DeWolf Avenue, Clovis, CA 93619
Clovis Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Reyburn Intermediate School combines collaborative professional learning communities, a coordinated MTSS framework, 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.
✓ A schoolwide MTSS framework coordinates academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support.
✓ Athletics and fitness programs strengthen teamwork, wellness, participation, and school connection.
★ The school has received an Exemplary Arts Education Award and countywide first place in Destination Imagination.
Clark Intermediate School
↻ 2024 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Matt Hernandez, Principal
559-327-1500
902 Fifth Street, Clovis, CA 93612
Clovis Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Clark Intermediate School combines data-informed instruction, social-emotional learning, 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.
✓ AVID and college-and-career programs build organization, academic confidence, and future readiness.
✓ Counseling and wellness services provide coordinated social-emotional and behavioral support.
✓ PLCs use shared assessments and student data to plan targeted instruction and intervention.
★ One of the successful school-wide procedures include the use of The First Week of School activities.
Fruitvale Junior High School
↻ 2024 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Erick Rouanzoin, Principal
661-589-3933
2114 Calloway Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93312
Fruitvale Elementary School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Fruitvale Junior High School combines data-informed instruction, restorative practices, and community partnerships 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.
✓ Targeted literacy instruction uses small groups and progress monitoring to strengthen reading skills.
✓ PBIS and restorative practices reinforce clear expectations, reflection, accountability, and positive relationships.
✓ Family and community partnerships expand student support, enrichment, and engagement.
★ In 2019 75% of FJH homeless students met or exceeded and in 2022 only 33% of students met or exceeded standards.
Liberty Middle School
↻ 2024 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Kelley Dow, Principal
559-924-6860
1000 Liberty Drive, Lemoore, CA 93245
Lemoore Union Elementary School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Liberty Middle School combines literacy development, 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.
✓ Targeted literacy instruction uses small groups and progress monitoring to strengthen reading skills.
✓ Advisory and mentoring provide regular check-ins, goal setting, and relationship-building.
✓ Arts and music programs build creativity, teamwork, confidence, and opportunities for performance.
★ Sixteen English learners were reclassified in 2022–23, and most students gained one proficiency level on the ELPAC.
Paul L. Cato Middle School
★ 2024 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Anthony Richardson, Principal
(661) 631-5245
4115 Vineland Rd, Bakersfield, CA, USA
Bakersfield City School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Paul L. Cato Middle School combines data-informed instruction, social-emotional learning, 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.
✓ Leveled Literacy Intervention provides targeted literacy instruction and progress monitoring.
✓ A coordinated schoolwide practice provides focused support and meaningful opportunities for students.
✓ Electives, clubs, and enrichment help students explore interests and build belonging.
★ One of the school’s first responses to this information is to have data chats with the school’s leadership team.