LA PUENTE, CA – Torch Middle School was named a School to Watch for providing academic and enrichment support for students performing below, at and above grade level, and encouraging students to be responsible, respectful and safe.

The California Schools to Watch program selects middle schools across the state to serve as model schools by critiquing their academics, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes.

“We hold our students to a very high standard and inspire them to have high expectations for themselves as well,” Torch Middle School Principal Monica Murray said. “All of our staff work hard to provide personalized opportunities to ensure each of our students succeeds.”

Regular student assessments allow teachers to provide additional support according to the student’s specific needs during Torch Time and core instruction. Torch Time is required four days out of the week, when students performing below average receive intervention support, students performing above average take an acceleration elective focusing on pre-advanced placement writing, and students performing at standard level receive enrichment courses.

“Our goal is to provide students with the necessary support and tools to excel in core content areas while preparing for college and careers,” Murray said.

Torch immerses students in a college preparatory environment, where each classroom adopts a university and teachers encourage students to go to college. Each student explores career opportunities, including high school and college pathways to those careers.

In addition to boosting academic success, students are immersed in a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system that teaches them to be responsible, respectful and safe. Students are rewarded with tickets for demonstrating PBIS behaviors, and can enter daily, weekly, quarterly and annual opportunity drawings for prizes.

“Congratulations to Torch for being recognized as a model school to serve as an inspiration to schools across the state,” Bassett Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Alex Rojas said. “I am proud of the Torch administrators, teachers, staff and students for earning this recognition as an example of the success seen throughout our District.”

PHOTOS:

113016_BASSETTUSD_SCHOOLSTOWATCH1: A Torch Middle School teacher helps a student in a coding course. Torch was named a School to Watch for providing academic and enrichment support for students performing below, at and above grade level.

113016_BASSETTUSD_SCHOOLSTOWATCH2: A Torch Middle School student goes over a math exercise during class. Regular student assessments allow teachers to provide additional support according to the student’s specific needs during Torch Time and core instruction.