De Portola Honored as "School To Watch" Model Middle School

For the third time since 2006, De Portola Middle School has been named a Schools to Watch model middle school. The school previously received the special designation in 2006 and 2009. Representatives from the Tierrasanta neighborhood middle school traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the award from the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform on June 23.

De Portola is one of 365 schools in the nation with this designation and one of three in San Diego County.

Designation as being a School to Watch is based on three criteria. Schools must be academically excellent, challenging all students to use their minds well; developmentally responsive, being sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence; and socially equitable, providing every student with high-quality teachers, resources, and supports.

While in Washington, D.C., the De Portola staff met with Congressman Duncan Hunter, Jr. and representatives of U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan to lobby for educational issues and to share reform ideas. They were also selected  to present at the Schools to Watch conference, sharing De Portola's innovative programs in helping students find success.

For more information, contact De Portola Principal Listy Gillingham at egillingham@sandi.net .