Six San Bernardino Middle Schools named California Schools to Watch

Curtis Middle School and Serrano Middle School earned redesignation under the CDE program. Both schools were originally designated Schools to Watch in 2016. New to the elite club this year are Arrowview Middle School, Chavez Middle School, Paakuma’ K–8 School and Rodriguez PREP Academy.

California Schools to Watch are considered model middle schools that:

• Educate students in any grades from grade 5 through grade 9
• Provide every student with high-quality educational resources and support
• Support the whole child, including physical, mental and social-emotional health

Some of the programs and practices that earned Curtis its redesignation were its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academy career pathway, its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program and its restorative justice program. Curtis is one of only two middle schools in the state to have a Gold-certified career pathway, the highest honor awarded by the Linked Learning Alliance. The campus is also designated as a District demonstration school for PBIS.

Serrano was redesignated a School to Watch in part for its schoolwide implementation of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) practices and using AVID interactive notebooks in all core classes. AVID is a nationally recognized program that fosters good note-taking, study and organizational habits and improves students’ self-esteem, resulting in academic achievement and college and career readiness.

Arrowview has achieved designation as a School to Watch for its dedication to Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS), while also fostering academic excellence through programs like AVID, STEM and Dual Immersion. The school promotes continuous student improvement through targeted academic interventions, extracurricular opportunities and a focus on creating a supportive environment for all students.

Chavez was recognized as a School to Watch due to its commitment to the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, its strong focus on student engagement and equity, and its dedication to PBIS and restorative practices.

Paakuma’ K–8 School has earned the Schools to Watch certification thanks in part to an instructional framework that focuses on continuous academic excellence, enhances existing programs and expands opportunities for student growth and engagement, ensuring all students are well-prepared for high school and focused on college and career success.

For Rodriguez PREP, this recognition stems from a commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning through strong relationships and student accountability. The school’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) program ensures all students engage in hands-on, inquiry-driven learning that enhances critical thinking for success across all subjects.