A program of the National Forum,
run by the California League of Middle Schools
California's 21st 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
5
2
3
Citrus Middle School
★ 2026 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Stacy Carrillo, Principal
559-305-7370
1400 Anchor Ave, Orange Cove, CA 93646, USA
Kings Canyon Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Citrus Middle School coordinates data-informed instruction and 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.
✓ PLCs use shared assessments and student data to plan targeted instruction and intervention.
✓ PBIS and restorative practices reinforce clear expectations, reflection, accountability, and positive relationships.
✓ Family and community partnerships expand student support, enrichment, and engagement.
★ A redesigned lunch schedule allows all three grade levels to share one coordinated 40-minute lunch period more efficiently.
General Grant Middle School
↻ 2026 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Rodney Cisneros, Principal
(559) 305-7330
360 North East Avenue, Reedley, CA 93654
Kings Canyon Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
General Grant Middle School coordinates data-informed instruction and intervention, positive-behavior and restorative practices, and student voice and leadership 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.
✓ PBIS and restorative practices reinforce clear expectations, reflection, accountability, and positive relationships.
✓ Student leadership and voice shape school activities, decision-making, and community culture.
★ Students earn GRRR passes for positive behavior and use them at Grizzly Celebrations featuring music, games, and snacks.
Monson-Sultana School
★ 2026 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Roberto Vaca, Principal
559-591-1634
10643 Avenue 416, Sultana, CA 93666, USA
Monson-Sultana Joint Union Elementary
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Monson-Sultana School coordinates data-informed instruction and 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.
★ A new athletics and wellness facility supports year-round sports, enrichment, school spirit, and teamwork for the K–8 community.
Thomas Law Reed School
↻ 2026 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Rick McCollum, Principal
(559) 305-7300
1400 N. Frankwood Ave, Reedley, CA 93654
Kings Canyon Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Thomas Law Reed School coordinates data-informed instruction and intervention, positive-behavior and restorative practices, and electives, clubs, arts, and athletics 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.
✓ PBIS and restorative practices reinforce clear expectations, reflection, accountability, and positive relationships.
✓ Athletics and fitness programs strengthen teamwork, wellness, participation, and school connection.
★ More than half of the students spend their first ten school years at Thomas Law Reed as members of the Husky community.
Washington Academic Middle School
↻ 2026 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Pete Muñoz, Principal
1705 10th Street, Sanger, CA 93657
Sanger Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Washington Academic Middle School coordinates data-informed instruction and intervention, positive-behavior and restorative practices, and college-and-career exploration 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.
✓ PLCs use shared assessments and student data to plan targeted instruction and intervention.
✓ PBIS and restorative practices reinforce clear expectations, reflection, accountability, and positive relationships.
✓ Athletics and fitness programs strengthen teamwork, wellness, participation, and school connection.
★ Five student advocates support Students With a Goal (SWAG), a program launched in 2015 to build goal setting and self-motivation.
Navelencia Middle School
★ 2025 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Jennifer Luevano, Principal
(559) 908-6446
22620 E. Wahtoke, Reedley, CA 93654
Kings Canyon Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Navelencia Middle School combines AVID and college-readiness systems, schoolwide PBIS, 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.
✓ Project-based STEM, STEAM, and CTE experiences connect learning with real-world problem-solving.
✓ PBIS and restorative practices reinforce clear expectations, reflection, accountability, and positive relationships.
✓ Family and community partnerships expand student support, enrichment, and engagement.
★ Transition supports guide incoming students and their parents through the move to middle school.
Sanger Academy Charter
↻ 2025 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Travis Ferrell, Principal
(559) 524-6840
2207 9th Street, Sanger, CA 93657
Sanger Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Sanger Academy Charter combines collaborative professional learning communities, 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.
✓ 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.
✓ Family and community partnerships expand student support, enrichment, and engagement.
★ The school's mariachi band has inspired one of the school’s feeder high schools, Sanger West to also provide a mariachi group for students to perform in.
Sequoia Middle School
↻ 2025 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Allyson Burns, Principal
(559) 457-3210
4050 E Hamilton Ave, Fresno, CA 93702, USA
Fresno Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Sequoia Middle School combines targeted tutoring, social-emotional learning, and athletics and extracurricular 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.
✓ AVID and college-and-career programs build organization, academic confidence, and future readiness.
✓ Inclusive special education services combine grade-level access with targeted academic and behavioral support.
✓ Junior Doctor Academy builds creativity, teamwork, confidence, and performance skills.
★ With that said, more than 50% of those students are in only general education classes with 100% of students in at least one general education class.
Silas Bartsch School
★ 2025 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Reginald Wagner, Principal
(559) 779-0169
2555 E. North Avenue, Reedley, CA 93654
Kings Canyon Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Silas Bartsch School combines STEM learning, 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.
✓ Project-based STEM, STEAM, and CTE experiences connect learning with real-world problem-solving.
✓ PBIS and restorative practices reinforce clear expectations, reflection, accountability, and positive relationships.
✓ Arts and music programs build creativity, teamwork, confidence, and opportunities for performance.
★ Families are treated as partners, connected with local and state resources, and invited to shape academic and behavior programs.
Washington Intermediate School
★ 2025 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Chrystle Munoz, Principal
559-595-7350
1150 N Hayes Ave., Dinuba, CA 93618
Dinuba Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Washington Intermediate School combines STEAM learning, schoolwide PBIS, 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.
✓ Project-based STEM, STEAM, and CTE experiences connect learning with real-world problem-solving.
✓ A schoolwide MTSS framework coordinates academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support.
✓ Arts and music programs build creativity, teamwork, confidence, and opportunities for performance.
★ Through these programs, Washington Intermediate aims to provide a well-rounded education that not only focuses on academic success but also on developing responsible, well-adjusted, and community-minded individuals.
Kings Canyon Middle School
↻ 2024 REDESIGNATED SCHOOL
Landon Ailanjian, Principal
(909) 986-8577
5117 East Tulare Ave., Fresno, CA 93727
Fresno Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Kings Canyon Middle School combines AVID and college-readiness systems, a coordinated MTSS framework, 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.
✓ AVID and college-and-career programs build organization, academic confidence, and future readiness.
✓ Inclusive special education services combine grade-level access with targeted academic and behavioral support.
✓ Family and community partnerships expand student support, enrichment, and engagement.
★ KCMS was on the cutting edge of being one of the first middle schools to have an Ethnic Studies program for students to be able to study and celebrate their diversity.
Riverview School
★ 2023 NEWLY DESIGNATED
Jodee Pinheiro-Smith, Principal
(559) 305-7290
8662 S. Lac Jac Ave, Parlier, CA 93648
Kings Canyon Unified School District
SCHOOL SPOTLIGHT
Riverview 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.
✓ Counseling and wellness services provide coordinated social-emotional and behavioral support.
✓ Electives, clubs, and enrichment help students explore interests and build belonging.
★ On the most recent student survey, 98% of students agreed that behavior expectations are clear, and more than 88% said they have a trusted adult on campus.