Doty Middle School named one of state’s top junior highs

Photo by Manuel Maciel

DOWNEY – Doty Middle School has been selected as one of California’s 16 high-performing middle schools and named a “school to watch.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond revealed the list of high-performing schools last week, praising them for demonstrating academic excellence, social equity, and responsiveness to the needs of adolescents.

“These middle schools make a great impact on students, and I want to thank the staff, administrators, teachers, and parents at these schools for ensuring all students get the education they need to realize their potential,” Thurmond said.

“These schools study and support students’ needs, which helps close achievement gaps and creates a better future for these young students.”

Doty Middle School will hold a celebration March 13 at 1 p.m. for staff, district leaders, school board members, local officials and dignitaries.

In June, Doty Middle School will also be recognized in Washington, D.C. as a “National Schools to Watch.”

“We are honored to have received this recognition,” said Doty’s Principal Brent Shubin. “Our staff and students have worked very hard to make Doty Middle School a place where students can thrive.”

Doty Middle School joins last year’s National Schools to Watch designees, Griffiths and Stauffer middle schools.

“This ceremony is an affirmation of the fantastic work so many have done within our school, our Board of Education, the district and even our larger community,” proudly expressed Superintendent, Dr. John Garcia.

California’s Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage program uses a competitive, rigorous review process to identify high performing, high impact middle schools so that all middle schools may have models of real-world success.

To earn this designation, schools must complete an extensive application that is reviewed by middle grades experts. In order to retain the designation, each school is re-evaluated every three years. All of the schools will be recognized in Sacramento at the California Middle Grades Alliance annual luncheon on March 14, 2019.