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CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS TO WATCH

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California Schools to Watch is a statewide program implemented by the California League
of Middle Schools, California Department of Education, California Middle Grades Alliance, National Forum, and the California Schools to Watch model schools.
Curtis Middle School

Redesignated: 2019

Designated 2016

San Bernardino City Unified School District

San Bernardino County

Guillermo Guerrero, Principal

1050 Del Rosa Drive, San Bernardino, CA 92410

909-388-6332

School Characteristics

Community: Urban; Enrollment: 826; Grades: 7-8; School Schedule: Seven-period day. Interdisciplinary teams with common prep time. Two-period block for English. Early release day on Monday for students.

School Demographics

2% Asian/Asian American; 10.5% Black/African American; 0.3% Filipino/Filipino American; 81% Hispanic/Latino 0.2% Pacific Islander; 6% White; 93.3% Free/Reduced Lunch; 28.3% English Learners

Replicable Practices

  • As a district demonstration school for PBIS and restorative justice programs, every teacher explicitly teaches PBIS social skills, school-wide procedures, and expectations.

  • Departments create units that are part of the site goals and are analyzed by departments and teams.

  • Interventions are provided through flexible scheduling, hands-on experiences, and inquiry-based learning and are supported by weekly department meetings.

  • In addition to embedded support such as Read 180, math support, and WICOR, students can attend tutoring before or after school through CAPS or with the Gear-Up program.

  • Teachers regularly participate in instructional rounds to audit such school-wide processes as agendas, Cornell notes, AVID strategies, and interactive journals.

  • Curtis provides a medical health pathways program and a STEM-focused program in addition to an emphasis on college and career in the regular program.

  • Student activities are enhanced by 20+ co-curricular clubs, including Black Student Union, cadet corps, music, and art club.

  • Parent involvement is encouraged through site council, LCAP workshops, African American Parent Advisory Council, ELAC, and parent participation in instructional rounds.

  • Students have 1:2 access to iPads, Chromebooks, iMacs, MacBooks, and PCs.

  • During a week-long training, new teachers observe teachers proficient in their practices and analyze these practices. All teachers have opportunities for professional growth by participating in training cycles, peer coaching, mentorship, and monthly instructional rounds.

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