Triple Crown for Westminster: Every Middle School Earns Coveted ‘Schools to Watch’ Title!
Westminster, CA – Westminster School District (WSD) proudly announces that all three of its middle schools—Johnson, Stacey, and Warner—have been designated as 2025 California and National Schools to Watch. This prestigious recognition highlights the schools’ exceptional implementation of programs aligned with the four key domains: Academic Excellence, Social Equity, Developmental Responsiveness, and Organizational Structures.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our students, teachers, and staff,” said Dr. Gunn Marie Hansen, Superintendent of Westminster School District. “Our middle schools have consistently demonstrated their commitment to providing a rigorous and engaging academic experience that prepares students for future success. This recognition reaffirms our position as the premier Pre K-8th grade school district in Orange County.”
With this accomplishment, WSD joins an elite group of districts in California where every middle school has earned the Schools to Watch designation. The schools will be honored at the California League of Middle Schools Annual Conference in March 2025, where they will share best practices with other top-performing middle schools across the state.
Jeremy Khalaf, Board President of Westminster School District, expressed his pride in the district’s achievement: “This recognition is a reflection of our collective commitment to educational excellence. It underscores the innovative and inclusive learning environments we’ve developed in our middle schools, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive.”
The California Schools to Watch program, supported by the California Department of Education, the California League of Middle Schools, and the California Middle Grades Alliance, in partnership with the National Forum, requires schools to undergo a rigorous application process and on-site evaluation. To maintain this status, schools must reapply every three years, demonstrating their continued commitment to excellence.
