CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS TO WATCH

Through a school-wide International Baccalaureate (IB) model, Wiltsey Middle is committed to structured inquiry as a vehicle for learning and real-life applications and to full inclusion with co-teaching and multiple tiers of support. Units of study are organized around the IB areas of interaction: statement of inquiry, inquiry questions, summative assessment, approaches to learning, and differentiation.

Teachers are supported in the school/IB vision by common planning time weekly, full day planning sessions, opportunities to visit peers, and coaching from an IB coordinator/data coach.

The school has identified close reading, the claim-evidence-reasoning framework for writing, and higher-level depth of knowledge questioning as the school-wide focus for the year supported by peer and coach observations, and staff development.

Support for instruction is evident through internal and external instructional rounds and a district program called “spotlight teacher” where two teachers are available for observations in-person and via a live-streaming service providing teachers with immediate modeling of research based instructional strategies and classroom management strategies aligned with PBIS.

All students participate in a highly organized process of student-led conferences where they analyze their academic progress with families and set academic goals for improvement.

Wiltsey has developed a unique coordinated services team in their counseling center (PAWS) where they can access outside services, and/or receive support from two bilingual academic counselors, as well as student mentors with training in behavioral counseling.

At the conclusion of every unit of study in all grade-level content areas, students are required to complete a summative task which is real-world applicable and engages them in creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, communication, citizenship and character education.