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O.C.'s best middle schools: Overcoming challenges
By SCOTT MARTINDALE AND FERMIN LEAL
2010-03-26 22:16:18
algebra-winchester-studie
Orange County's best public middle schools are succeeding on all fronts, meeting students' intellectual, emotional and social needs in spite of myriad challenges working with a challenging age group.
That's the conclusion of The Orange County Register's 2010 report on public middle school quality, a comprehensive analysis of standardized test scores, misconduct figures and other measures for some 86 campuses.
The very best are honored with medals: 10 gold, nine silver and 11 bronze.
Our No. 1-ranked middle school this year, Lakeside Middle School in Irvine, provides a near-perfect blend of academics and environment, infusing its top-notch curriculum with strategies designed to maximize student success.
Our detailed analysis also shows that some Orange County middle schools aren't succeeding, including two that were recently placed on a statewide list of persistent low achievers.
Profiles
Orange County's top 10 middle schools of 2010. Click on school names to read more.
1. Lakeside Middle School, Irvine Unified: A blend of innovative curricula, a focus on all students, a willingness to shake things up -- maybe even a touch of magic -- drive achievement at Lakeside.
2. Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, Irvine Unified: Academics take center stage during classes, but during breaks San Joaquin's staff strives to generate an enthusiasm that has kids missing school on weekends.
3. South Lake Middle School, Irvine Unified: Educators urge students to connect with each, through social efforts, service or mentoring, looking to those links to create a sense of community where strong academics thrive.
4. Christa McAuliffe Middle School, Los Alamitos Unified: Music and arts flourish at McAuliffe, which supports a 30-piece string orchestra at a time when music instruction is under siege due to budget cuts.
5. Bernardo Yorba Middle School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified: Soaring school spirit, diverse music, arts and sports offerings and high-level academics help make Bernardo Yorba tough, but welcoming to students.
6. Venado Middle School, Irvine Unified: The school dumped homeroom classes this year in favor a mid-day tutorial period that's providing students with timely assistance and a chance to prove their maturity.
7. Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine Unified: Teacher dedication is a hallmark of Sierra Vista, and it's got the test scores to prove it.
8. Pioneer Middle School, Tustin Unified: The No. 1 ranked school in 2009, Pioneer offers rich arts education along with a new approach this year to helping students master algebra's intricacies.
9. Ladera Ranch Middle School, Capistrano Unified: A robust pallate of extracurricular offerings and enviable academics help distinguish Ladera Ranch.
10. Russell Parks Junior High, Fullerton: From advanced math to advanced cooking, Parks strives to educate the complete student.
O.C.'s best middle schools: Overcoming challenges
By SCOTT MARTINDALE AND FERMIN LEAL
2010-03-26 22:16:18
algebra-winchester-studie
Orange County's best public middle schools are succeeding on all fronts, meeting students' intellectual, emotional and social needs in spite of myriad challenges working with a challenging age group.
That's the conclusion of The Orange County Register's 2010 report on public middle school quality, a comprehensive analysis of standardized test scores, misconduct figures and other measures for some 86 campuses.
The very best are honored with medals: 10 gold, nine silver and 11 bronze.
Our No. 1-ranked middle school this year, Lakeside Middle School in Irvine, provides a near-perfect blend of academics and environment, infusing its top-notch curriculum with strategies designed to maximize student success.
Our detailed analysis also shows that some Orange County middle schools aren't succeeding, including two that were recently placed on a statewide list of persistent low achievers.
Profiles
Orange County's top 10 middle schools of 2010. Click on school names to read more.
1. Lakeside Middle School, Irvine Unified: A blend of innovative curricula, a focus on all students, a willingness to shake things up -- maybe even a touch of magic -- drive achievement at Lakeside.
2. Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, Irvine Unified: Academics take center stage during classes, but during breaks San Joaquin's staff strives to generate an enthusiasm that has kids missing school on weekends.
3. South Lake Middle School, Irvine Unified: Educators urge students to connect with each, through social efforts, service or mentoring, looking to those links to create a sense of community where strong academics thrive.
4. Christa McAuliffe Middle School, Los Alamitos Unified: Music and arts flourish at McAuliffe, which supports a 30-piece string orchestra at a time when music instruction is under siege due to budget cuts.
5. Bernardo Yorba Middle School, Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified: Soaring school spirit, diverse music, arts and sports offerings and high-level academics help make Bernardo Yorba tough, but welcoming to students.
6. Venado Middle School, Irvine Unified: The school dumped homeroom classes this year in favor a mid-day tutorial period that's providing students with timely assistance and a chance to prove their maturity.
7. Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine Unified: Teacher dedication is a hallmark of Sierra Vista, and it's got the test scores to prove it.
8. Pioneer Middle School, Tustin Unified: The No. 1 ranked school in 2009, Pioneer offers rich arts education along with a new approach this year to helping students master algebra's intricacies.
9. Ladera Ranch Middle School, Capistrano Unified: A robust pallate of extracurricular offerings and enviable academics help distinguish Ladera Ranch.
10. Russell Parks Junior High, Fullerton: From advanced math to advanced cooking, Parks strives to educate the complete student.
