Jefferson Leadership Academy Named a California School to Watch

Congratulations to Jefferson Leadership Academy on earning the California School to Watch award as a high-performing, model middle school! The visiting committee from Schools to Watch was thoroughly impressed by Jefferson’s academic excellence, social equity, student support, and culture of improvement. 

Schools to Watch is a national network of schools across twenty-one states, with California being the largest participant. Schools must apply for this prestigious honor, which is then reviewed by a panel of experienced middle-grades experts in their state. Awards are given to those who pass the validation visit and meet all qualifications. Jefferson successfully earned its well-deserved recognition as a California School to Watch in March 2026 and will become a National School to Watch in June 2026. 

The visiting committee’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and spoke highly of the campus’s cleanliness, strong academic instruction, collaborative efforts among staff, and student agency. Students across campus had a deep sense of belonging and shared pride across the school. 

Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker was in attendance at the award ceremony for Jefferson, stating, “This is a meaningful moment for Jefferson and our Long Beach Unified community. Jefferson’s students, staff, and families show every day what it means to create a campus where learning and belonging are felt in every classroom.”

“This recognition embodies our students, staff, families, and community who make Jefferson a place where academic excellence, leadership, and belonging thrive every single day. We see you, Jags. This is our win,” beamed the principal of Jefferson Leadership Academy, Dr. Renée Shipman. 

Jefferson is currently the only middle school in LBUSD to receive this distinction, and one of only 250 Schools to Watch nationwide, a testament to the extraordinary work of the entire school community. Congratulations, Jefferson Leadership, for this outstanding achievement!