The public was invited to attend the Schools to Watch ceremony at Golden Valley Middle School, 3800 North Waterman Avenue, San Bernardino.
The California Department of Education presented Golden Valley Middle School with the 2017–2018 School to Watch-Taking Center Stage award.
Golden Valley Middle School is 1 of just 22 high-performing, California middle schools to receive the honor, which also went to 4 other schools in the Inland Empire.
These model schools demonstrate academic excellence, social equity, and responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.
“Congratulations to these schools for doing excellent work to help students believe in themselves, set high goals, and dream big,” Torlakson said. “These schools are outstanding examples of how educational innovations can keep students engaged and learning throughout a transitional time in their lives.”
Strong relationships between students and teachers is one of the hallmarks of Golden Valley Middle School, where students are divided into grade-level teams like Camelot, Excalibur, and Falcons.
Golden Valley is committed to nurturing a school culture where everyone works in partnership to do what is best for each and every student, said Principal Gabriel Diaz. Diaz gives substantial credit for this award to his predecessor, Kristen Bicondova, who led Golden Valley for more than five years and is currently the principal at Indian Springs High School.
“Every day, we focus on helping students achieve and succeed, whether it be academically or socially,” Diaz said. “And, we embrace the character traits of teamwork, positive behavior, and excellence.”
Schools to Watch designees will be recognized in Sacramento at the California Middle Grades Alliance annual luncheon on March 1.
Two schools previously designated Schools to Watch—Serrano and Curtis Middle Schools—have sustained progress and will retain their designation.