Torch Introduction

Torch Middle School: Introduction

Bassett Unified School District
Los Angeles County
Joe Medina, Principal
751 North Vineland Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91746
Tel (626) 931-2704, Fax (626) 931-2707
http://www.bassett.k12.ca.us/torch/

Distinctive Characteristics

Academic Excellence

Seventh and eighth grade students are blocked into two 104-minute periods per day (math-science, English language arts-social studies), plus physical education and an elective. Sixth grade students are self-contained except for P.E. and the elective.
Opportunities for movement into more rigorous classes are available to students throughout the 203-day school year.
A common pacing calendar exists for all core subjects.
Engaging lessons are created using labs for science, manipulatives for math, and PowerPoint presentations for direct teaching.
A-G requirements are in each student's binder.
Cornell notes are used school-wide.
Instruction is differentiated for all students.
Students review rubrics and samples of previous student work before starting a new project.
Students' writing portfolios are passed from one grade to the next.
Pre- and post-level tests are aligned, scored, and analyzed using Edusoft software.

Developmental Responsiveness

Students wear uniforms to discourage social competition.
Common projects are assigned to small learning communities of 64 students.
The “college-going” theme is pervasive in every classroom.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) classes serve academically average students in advanced classes from minority, rural, low-income backgrounds without a college-going tradition in their families.
All activities are open to all students including Spirit Squad, Associated Student Body, Yearbook, Anime, Drama Club, Culture/History Club, Intramural Sports, and others.
Non-cognitive interventions are in place to reduce the number of suspensions. These include lessons on bullying, harassment, conflict resolution, and/or self-esteem.
Business partnerships exist with Coca-Cola, Sunkist, the county library, Star Nursery, and others.

Social Equity

Split blocking scheduling allows a student to be in an advanced math class while receiving ELA interventions.
All clubs and interest-based electives are open to all students.
Staff creates rubrics for citizenship and work habits.
The school's behavior management program has reduced suspensions to less than one percent.
Cultural exposure is gained through projects, presentations, and visits to local museums.
Teachers use Total Physical Response (TPR) for English language learners (ELL).
Interventions are offered during Study Skills classes, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) tutorials, and after-school tutoring.
Torch Middle School emphasizes parental involvement.

Organizational Support

A Summer Learning Institute for teachers provides in-depth professional development.
Teachers collaborate during summer Institutes, bi-monthly grade-level meetings, and monthly subject meetings.
Small learning teams and grade-level teams meet regularly.
Common pacing calendars are used in all core classes.
Teachers developed a common teaching vocabulary which is used school-wide.
Fred Jones positive discipline guidelines are used for classroom management.
Springboard consultants were used for creating pre-, post-, and common benchmark assessments.
The leadership team developed a writing program which is now used district-wide and resulted in significant improvements on the STAR writing exam.

California League of Middle Schools
6615 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 120, Long Beach, California 90803
Voice: 562/430-3136 or 800/326-1880 . . . FAX: 562/430-5607. . . E-Mail: info@clms.net