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: 2016, 2019
Designated 2013
Simi Valley Unified School District
Ventura County
Shawn Rumble, Principal
601 Royal Avenue, Simi Valley, CA 93065
(805) 520-6830
School Characteristics
Community: Suburb, Mid-Size Territory; Enrollment: 927; Grade Levels: 6-8; School Schedule: Six periods with a morning homeroom class and early dismissal Thursdays
School Demographics
54% White; 31% Hispanic; 7% Asian; 3% Filipino; 2% African American; 2% Two or More Races; 1% American Indian/Alaska Native; 0% Pacific Islander; 31% Free/Reduced Lunch; 4% English Learners
Replicable Practices
Sinaloa has fully implemented the CHAMPS behavior management program throughout the school providing students with clear, common expectations.
Changing the schedule and employing an RTI coordinator, the school offers thirty minutes per day for timely, interventions or enrichment. Sixth grade employs a flexible schedule to offer additional support/expansion opportunities for students.
Working to implement literacy strategies across the curriculum staff has developed the Sinaloa Playbook to prescribe common instructional strategies to strengthen literacy instruction across the disciplines.
To support academics and to offer opportunities for all students to participate in electives, classes are offered zero period and after school. In addition, Honors classes and focused study halls are also offered to meet individual needs.
Early dismissal on Thursdays provides collaboration time within and across departments. This time is also used to discuss best practices and instructional methods to add to the Sinaloa Playbook.
Students are provided multiple opportunities to explore a rich variety of topics and interests through the elective and co-curricular offerings at Sinaloa such as: guitar, jazz band, aeronautics, robotics, mock trial, oceanography, dance, and an independent study program for French and Spanish after school.
Sinaloa is developing a new “lens” for viewing learning by studying and implementing Carol Dweck’s growth mindset practices and attitudes.
Parent communication is ongoing and timely through the use of websites, email, text messages, Twitter, principal’s weekly newsletter, Google Calendar, and organized parent groups and parenting classes throughout the year.
In addition to staff development embedded in department and faculty meetings, teachers are encouraged to attend conferences and workshops. Twice a year staff district-wide share promising practices and innovative ideas during common staff development days.
Sinaloa is working to become part of the “Career Technology Pathways” program of the district by offering robotics, animation, wood design, aeronautics, health/sports medicine, engineering, and education.