Los Cerros Middle School

Los Cerros Middle School is a highly rated public school based in Danville, CA. It has 645 students in grades 6-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 23 to 1. According to the state test score, 67 per cent of students are at least competent in math and 78 per cent in reading. Los Cerros Middle School serves students on the northeastern side of Danville. Los Cerros was named California Distinguished School and 2009 National Blue Ribbon School.

 

Los Cerros Middle School’s mission is to inspire and prepare all students to apply the intellectual knowledge learned, skills, and character traits necessary to become creative problem solvers and to achieve personal success as thoughtful citizens who responsibly contribute to our community and digital world.

 

The library's media center provides numerous resources for books , periodicals, newspapers, and the digital district network. The teacher librarian is available to help students find the right resources and select literature. Almost all of the library materials can be checked out to take home. Students are expected to respect their fellow students ' rights by returning materials on time and in good condition. The library is to be maintained as a quiet, clean area for those needing to use the library resources.

 

The school's 6th grade core curriculum consists of standards based and taught over a three-year period that blends the contents of English Language Arts and History-Social Science. The courses are taught by one teacher and provide a transition from elementary to secondary school. Through the writing process , students learn explicit strategies to help them find meaningful writing subjects. In addition, they learn how to structure their writing, revise, edit and publish. They also learn spelling strategies and conventions. Students discover meaning in literature and history by connecting their reading with personal experience and prior knowledge. The English Language Arts program includes comprehension strategies in fiction and non-fiction and an exploration of genres. The integrated, activity-based History-Social Science curriculum begins with the study of early humans and focuses on ancient civilizations through the rise of the Roman Empire.

 

The 7th grade core curriculum of the school is a two-period standard that combines the contents of English and history-social science, enhancing the reading , writing, and analytical-cognitive skills needed for both. Knowledge of reading, writing , speaking and listening is taught in the context of literature and medieval history studies. The English curriculum includes reading comprehension, literary analysis, and instruction in a number of standard types of writing, including summary, persuasive, narrative, and literature responses. Spelling, vocabulary and grammar are also included in the instruction.The history-social science curriculum focuses on history from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Age of Reason in the beginning of the 18th century, and includes instruction on the Roman Empire; Medieval Europe; the rise of Islam; Medieval Africa, Japan, and China; Mesoamerica; Europe during the Renaissance; the Reformation and Scientific Revolution, the Age of Exploration, and the Age of Reason.

 

The 8th grade core curriculum of the school is a two-period, time-based standard that blends the contents of English and history-social science, enhancing the reading , writing, and analytical-cognitive skills needed for both. The content of the course includes a study of novels, poetry and state-of-the-art writings, integrated with the study and research skills needed for analysis. While studying historical events from the founding of the nation to World War I, students will analyze the development of constitutional democracy, focusing on individual rights, understanding the political system, and how citizens can participate and influence government. Students examine the gradual expansion of the US and its subsequent shaping and influence on foreign policy. Emphasis is on cause and effect, chronology, and an appreciation for how the past influences current events.