Granger Junior High Shines in Nation's Capitol
Recognized as a Model Turnaround School
For several days in June, the nation's capitol turned the educational spotlight on Granger Junior High recognizing the local campus as a middle school success story.
(Left to right) School Board Trustee Bertha J. López, Granger Junior High Principal MaryRose Peralta, and Susan Mitchell, Sweetwater Executive Director of Middle Schools, at the lectern following Congressional Hearing on Achievement in Middle Schools.
Led by Principal MaryRose Peralta and Executive Director for Middle Schools Susan Mitchell, a 10-member delegation represented Granger Junior High in a whirlwind of presentations around the beltway.
Our local educators captivated national lawmakers when they told the story of Granger's transformation from a failing to a model school at a Congressional Committee on Achievement in Middle Schools.
Faculty members and administrators of Granger Junior High represented the National City middle school with pride in Washington D.C.
"The faculty, staff and students of Granger have worked hard to create a new school culture where success is the only option," said School Board President Arlie N. Ricasa. "Now the school is an example of excellence, and we couldn't be more proud."
Granger was one of two middle schools chosen nationwide to address the hearing because of the school's success in improving academic performance and greatly narrowing the achievement gap.
School Board member Bertha J. López traveled with the local delegation to Washington to receive the National Recognition Award at the National Schools to Watch Conference.
"The Granger education team is delivering true academic reform for the students of National City. Their dedication was very much on display in Washington," López said. "It was gratifying to have national lawmakers and educators acknowledge the tremendous work being done at Granger."
Earlier this year, Granger was named one of three model schools in California. But it was a very different story in 2004 when Granger Junior High fell below state accountability standards and was placed in Program Improvement status. Since then, administrators and teachers have rallied to turn things around.
Extra time and help for students needing support has come in the form of tutoring and an extended day. Teachers also offer Saturday school and other one-on-one reinforcement.
The added effort has helped Granger students meet performance benchmarks. Since 2005 the school's overall Academic Performance Index score has increased 150 points and now stands at 782, just shy of the state's 800-point target.
At the National Conference, Granger teachers and assistant principals joined the current and former principal in making presentation on such topics as organizational structure as well as academic and social equity. They also took the opportunity to meet with congressional representatives and advocate for public school funding.
For more information about the National Schools to Watch program, please visit http://www.schoolstowatch.org/