CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS TO WATCH
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.
Ethel Dwyer Middle School
Designated 2025
Huntington Beach City Unified School District
Orange County
Christa Glembocki
1502 Palm Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(714) 536-7507
School Characteristics
Enrollment: 880; Grade Levels: 6-8
Replicable Practices
School-wide PBIS program, GRIT, with digital GRITcoin rewards, GRITbands, student/parent/teacher luncheons, student stores, and pop-up sales, extensive signage, and well-developed accountability systems
Weekly Advisory period for school-wide SEL lessons allows breakout options for timely, data-driven Tier II behavioral and academic interventions led by counselors and trained staff
Student leadership opportunities on campus and in the community include ASB, Music Scholars Leadership Council, NJHS, Journey For Good volunteer program, sports, and theater
Collaborative and flexible co-teaching model for ELs, at-risk learners, and SWD
Academic incentives including district benchmark and SBAC improvement rewards, as well as a quarterly student punch card for growth in GPA