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Fedde MS-International Studies Academy Selected as 2015 California’s Schools to Watch

HMG-CN Education Wire

On Jan. 15, State Superintendent Tom Torlaksen announced that Fedde MS in the ABC Unified School District is one of seven high-performing California middle schools to be designated as model middle schools in the 2015 Schools to Watch—Taking Center Stage Program. The Schools To Watch Program is sponsored by the California League of Middle Schools and the California Department of Education, in partnership with the California Middle Grades Alliance.

 

California’s School to Watch—Taking Center Stage Program uses a competitive, rigorous review process to identify high performing, high impact middle school schools so that all middle schools may have models of real world success. Fedde MS is one of just 66 model schools that have been identified statewide since 2003. To become a “Schools to Watch”, schools must have met or exceeded the API schoolwide growth target for three of the five most recent years scores. Fedde MS also conducted a self-study evaluation and were reviewed by an outside team of middle grades experts.

 

Fedde MS will be celebrating with the entire school community on February 13, 2015 at 11:00AM. This is the first time that Fedde MS located in Hawaiian Gardens has been selected for the Schools to Watch Program. “It is a true honor for Fedde MS to be recognized as a School to Watch” said Principal Ricardo Lois. “Our staff has worked very hard in developing an exciting and challenging middle school program that supports achievement for all students. This ceremony is an affirmation of the fine work so many have done at Fedde MS-International Studies Academy.” The celebration will feature an address to the student body on their school’s selection as a model and the presentation of a banner by Dr. Irvin Howard, Past President of the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. He noted, “Fedde MS is a model of what an outstanding middle school can be. School leaders from across the state will now turn to Fedde MS for guidance on improving their programs to better serve their students.

 

All the schools will be formally recognized in Sacramento at the California Middle Grades Alliance Annual Luncheon held on Feb. 26 and during the California League of Schools Annual Conference held during Feb. 26-March 1, 2015. Fedde MS will have an opportunity to showcase their accomplishments and network with other middle grades educators from around the State. In addition, Fedde MS will be recognized at the national level during the National Model Middle Schools Conference/Awards Ceremony held in Washington, DC on June 24-28.

 

Superintendent Dr. Mary Sieu noted that last year two middle schools in ABCUSD, Carmenita MS and Tetzlaff MS were selected as 2014 Schools to Watch. “It gives us great pride to have Fedde MS selected as a model middle school in California this year. They have done exceptional work in turning around the school under extraordinary circumstances.”