Castaic Middle School received its re-designation status as a “High Performing Middle School” among “Schools to Watch,” according to a news release Monday from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.

“These schools are outstanding examples of how educational innovations can keep students engaged and learning throughout a transitional time in their lives,” Torlakson said of the 46 schools selected.

“These high-performing model schools demonstrate academic excellence, social equity, and responsiveness to the needs of young adolescents,” he said.

At Castaic Middle School, students achieve the educational standards using cutting-edge technology.

In addition, students have myriad enrichment opportunities available to them, including the award-winning CMSTV broadcast journalism program, which recently received at $100,000 grant from Farmer’s Insurance’s Thank America’s Teachers program.

CMS’s very popular and successful Career Pathways program offers unique classes such as Culinary Arts, Sports Medicine and Drone Pilot Training.

Castaic Middle School originally became a “Schools to Watch” in the first year of the program in 2003 and has successfully been re-designated five times (2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2018).

Principal Bob Brauneisen thanked his staff, saying, “It is important to recognize that it takes a village to make this happen and the teachers and support staff are dedicated to student learning. Thank you for a job well done.”

High Desert School in the Acton-Agua Dulce Unified School District is also among the re-designated “Schools to Watch” for 2018.

See the complete list of California middle “Schools to Watch” [here].