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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.
Edna Hill Middle School

Redesignated: 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022

Designated 2007

Brentwood Union School District

Contra Costa County

Leonor Medina, Principal

140 Birch Street,, Brentwood, CA 94513

925-513-6440

School Characteristics

Community: Suburban; Enrollment: 940; Grade Levels: 6-8; School Schedule: Eight-period with 94-minute core block (language arts-social studies)

School Demographics

43% White; 39% Hispanic/Latino; 9% African American; 3% Filipino; 3% Asian; 1% Two or more races; 1% Pacific Islander; 0% American Indian/Alaska Native; 39% Free/Reduced Lunch; 18% English Learners

Replicable Practices

  • Students are assigned an adult advocate for three years whom they meet with daily in homeroom where they are supported by a research-based curriculum and activities.

  • Student-led conferences are held twice yearly and include SMART goals for each student and a Parent Compact.

  • Over 1200 students and families have benefited from the campus “store” Passing on Apparel for Student Success (PASS). The store operates free of charge and is supported by donations from the community.

  • ELAC committee members, staff, and administration visited over 200 homes in the two weeks before school starting to welcome the non-English speaking families into the school community and strengthen the home-school partnership.

  • At-risk students benefit from a variety of intervention programs during the school day including: Language Arts Support, Math Support, Intensive Math 7/8, ELD Support, and Read 180. Students are also supported by teacher tutoring four days per week, and Homework Center support three days per week.

  • Using the cycle of inquiry, staff have developed common core performance-based assessments in all curricular areas; common core formative assessments twice per quarter, and common summative assessments each quarter.

  • Students are grouped into interdisciplinary teams to foster relationships and facilitate interdisciplinary instruction.

  • English Learner classroom teachers benefit from a walk-through coaching process.

  • Collaborative learning time is scheduled weekly for teachers with established protocols and agendas.

  • In addition to providing computers in classrooms, the school has purchased equipment to open three sections of Read 180 to support students struggling with reading and language acquisition.

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