
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.
Royal Oaks STEAM Academy

Designated 2026
Duarte Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Julia Castillo, Principal
2449 Royal Oaks Dr, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
626-599-5400
School Characteristics
Grades Served: TK-8; Enrollment: 748
Replicable Practices
STEAM Integration Across the Curriculum – Students engage in inquiry-based, cross-disciplinary projects like the Rollercoaster Challenge to apply STEAM principles in real-world ways.
SOAR (PBIS) as a Culture Framework – Our SOAR expectations and Platinum-level PBIS system create a consistent, respectful school-wide culture rooted in positive behavior supports.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) – Grade-level teams use data cycles to align instruction and provide targeted academic and SEL interventions for every learner.
Family and Community Engagement – We build strong partnerships with families and community organizations to expand learning and career exposure beyond the classroom.
Whole-Child Supports Through SEL and Mentorship – A network of trauma-informed strategies, counseling, and mentorship ensures every student’s social-emotional needs are met.