CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS TO WATCH
High-Performing Model Middle Schools
Schools to Watch Story
A Nationwide Network
Schools to Watch is a national network of over 700 schools in 18 states. California is the largest state participant. Schools that apply to become Schools to Watch in the fall submit an application that is reviewed by experienced middle-grades experts in their state. If the application is approved, the school hosts a validation visit. If the school meets the qualifications, the school becomes a California School to Watch in March and a National School to Watch in June.
Apply for 2025
Does your middle school, K-8 school, traditional school, or public charter school serve middle-grades students exceptionally well?
Applying for initial Schools to Watch designation is free and easy. Be recognized and share your site’s best practices with other educators!
Redesignate in 2025
California Schools to Watch must redesignate every three years to share how they are making things better for all students and dealing with challenges that arise.
​
Submit Early
As the program has grown, it has become necessary to review redesignation applications earlier in the year so we have time to meet the needs of all the great schools in the program.
​
Please support our nonprofit and get an early start on the redesignation process! While the deadline is October 1, 2024, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as you comfortably can.
California Middle-Grades Alliance
About CMGA
California Middle Grades Alliance (CMGA) seeks a united voice for the education of California’s 1.5 million middle grades students. Initially formed in 2001 to launch the California Department of Education’s first edition of Taking Center Stage, a comprehensive report of recommendations for middle grades educators, CMGA was an integral part of the roll-out of the next iteration, Taking Center Stage—Act II (TCSII). CMGA has supported many other policies and programs that include California Schools to Watch™—Taking Center Stage and CMGA Leadership Recognition.
CMGA Mission
The mission of CMGA is to support high quality middle grades education designed to close the achievement gap and ensure success for all students through increasing public awareness, disseminating research and best practices, and influencing middle grades policy and informed decision-making at the state and local level.
CMGA Goals
-
Increase public awareness and engagement regarding middle level education
-
Influence middle grades policy and inform decision-making
-
Leverage resources across CMGA organizations
-
Encourage California-based research on middle grades to uncover “what works” for young adolescents
-
Disseminate research and best practices
-
Develop awareness and dynamic leadership in the middle grades
-
Foster professional learning communities
Our Partnerships
California Schools to Watch is operated by:
​
Lead Agencies
California League of Educators
California Department of Education
​​
Program Partners
California Middle Grades Alliance, a partnership of CDE, CLE, and:
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID)
Association of California School Administrators (ACSA)
California School Boards Association (CSBA)
California Parent Teachers Association (CAPTA)
California Teachers Association (CTA)
National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform
California Schools to Watch Model Schools