Olive Pierce Middle School honored by State

 
 
Olive Peirce Middle School Named by State as ‘School to Watch’

Students, parents and staff who have worked hard to raise grades at Olive Peirce Middle School have been rewarded with a state honor.

The campus has been named as one of four middle schools in California designated as a “School to Watch.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Monday announced that four high-performing California schools are newly designated model middle schools in the Schools to Watch™−Taking Center Stage (STW™−TCS) program, according to a news release.

Another 11 high-performing California schools will also retain their model middle grades schools status under the same program.

“I commend the students, their parents, teachers, and administrators for their efforts in helping make these 15 schools models of excellence,” Torlakson said. “Their success is amazing, especially considering they are swimming against the tide of massive budget cuts, crowded classrooms and school employee layoffs.”

The news release noted that students continue to make gains in all subgroups on the state’s standardized tests. The school has gained 53 points since 2007, while socioeconomically disadvantaged students have gained 71 points.

“We are super excited,” principal Linda Solis told Patch. “The recognition is the result of every single OPMS teammate’s dedication and commitment to our students’ success. For more than a decade, we have worked as a team to build a culture where professional collaboration and teamwork is the norm.”

Solis said the focus is that “all students are expected to meet high academic standards, all teachers are accountable for student progress, all classified staff are involved in and make a difference in student achievement, all administrators take on roles of mentoring and supporting students and all families are important in our students’ progress toward meeting academic goals.”

Ramona schools superintendent Robert Graeff sent “A Royal Congratulations” to the staff, parents and students.

“This distinction is a huge honor for the school and for the entire district. To achieve the status of a School to Watch, a school is expected to establish norms, structures, and organizational arrangements to support and sustain their trajectory toward excellence. How proud we all are of the tremendous work at our comprehensive middle school. Congratulations on receiving this tremendous honor.”

Author: Julie Pengdray of Ramona Patch

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