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.
Redesignated: 2023
Designated 2020
Kings Canyon Unified School District
Fresno County
Rodney Cisneros, Principal
360 North East Avenue, Reedley, CA 93654
(559) 305-7330
School Characteristics
Community: suburban. Enrollment: 537. Grade Levels: 6-8. School Schedule: Each grade level has eight periods and 61,740 instructional minutes.
School Demographics
Free/reduced lunch: 100%. Students with disabilities: 8%. English learners: 18%.
Replicable Practices
Teachers sharing a grade level and a content area have a common daily prep period to facilitate planning and collaboration; all teachers participate in PLCs on weekly early release days.
Ongoing professional learning centers on research-based intervention, materials, and instructional strategies within the PLC model of Plan-Do-Study-Act.
A week-long summer transition program and sitewide PBIS and Time to Teach elements ensure students transition successfully from 5th grade to middle school.
English Language Development that includes vocabulary and academic language is taught at every grade level.
The Grizzly Parent Academy guides parents through the student data system, grades, PowerSchool, communicating with staff, 8th-grade promotion, high school A-G requirements, and student social issues.
The school is located downtown between two rival gangs; a strict dress code, a peace-building initiative partnership with the city, and a substance-abuse awareness class for students all help to restore justice to the school and community.
The master schedule facilitates intervention and flexibility around students’ needs.