Granger Junior High School
| Granger Junior High School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
|
2101 Granger Ave. National City, CA USA | |
| Information | |
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1955 |
| School district | Sweetwater Union High School District |
| Principal | Richard Carreon |
| Asst. Principal |
Lora Bumatay Hector Ornelas |
| Grades | 7-9 |
| Color(s) | Blue and Gray |
| Mascot | Griffins |
| Website | http://gjh.sweetwaterschools.org/ |
Granger Junior High School is a public middle school in National City, California, that teaches grades 7–9. Students can participate in several clubs that include the triple S club (Surf, Skate, Snowboard), Huck fin, Link Crew, A.A.S.U., and AVID.
Mission Statement
The Mission of Granger Junior High School, a diverse community where academic excellence flourishes, is to ensure all students realize their boundless potential through a system of learning distinguished by:
- An enriching and rigorous academic curriculum
- An environment that honors and recognizes achievement
- Effective and timely support and intervention
- Providing a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment
- Building character, respect and trust
- A culture where success is the only option
- A strong partnership between family, school and community
Recent History
In 2003, Granger Jr. High's API stood at 603, which ranked as a 3 out of 10 in the state and a 5 out of 10 in similar schools, both the lowest in the Sweetwater District that year among middle schools. The fall of 2003 was the beginning when several changes took place at Granger that allowed many students to become more successful. In 2006, Granger became the first school in San Diego County to place all 8th graders in Algebra or Geometry. Also that year, all 9th graders were required to take a Biology course. These were just two examples of how the staff at Granger continued to challenge the rigor for students. The students would respond. In 2010, Granger was recognized and still has the title as a California School to Watch, due to their achievements in academics and the effectiveness of their after school program. The free or reduced lunch rate at Granger that year was 92%, highest in the Sweetwater Union High School District. Despite this obstacle, their API scores topped the majority of other schools in the district, including schools in more affluent neighborhoods such as Hilltop (42% free or reduced) and Bonita Middle School (18% free or reduced).
More Accomplishments
From then until now, their API has risen up to 831 in 2012, which ranks as a 7 out of 10 in the state. This is the single largest API improvement over the last 8–9 years in the state of California out of any secondary school that serves grades 7-12. Granger Junior High is also the only secondary school that has achieved a 10 out of 10 in similar schools ranking for 4 straight years (since 2008-2009) among secondary schools in the majority of school districts in San Diego County. School districts include Cajon Valley, Carlsbad, Coronado, Escondido, Fallbrook, Grossmont, La Mesa-Spring Valley, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Poway, Ramona, San Diego, Sweetwater, and San Ysidro. In 2013, Granger Junior High was named a re-designated School to Watch in California, and is the only school in San Diego County to be recognized by that title. Also in 2013, Granger Junior High is one of only eight schools in the entire country competing for the Gold Level National Center for Urban School Transformation Award. Several administrators, teachers, support staff, and parent volunteers have arrived or have been hired since 2003, have gone above and beyond expectations, and have been responsible for Granger Junior High Schools great accomplishments and success. They include the following individuals.
Susan Mitchell, Robert Bleisch, Richard Grove, Sean Murphy, Maria Galleher, Pete Vedborg, Jason Haug, Derrick Almero, Carlos Tapia, Cindy Burge, Stuart Douglas, Roufieh Carmody, Kevin Beiser, Kari Koch, Rick Barr, Sarah Homan, Miguel Marin, Jennifer Cisneros, Rich Mendiola, Jennifer Lynn, Lisa Burgess, Dee Espinoza, Martha Carranza, Lee Romero, Denise Harder, Juan Ulloa, Miriam Duggan, Ruben Baeza
http://gjh.sweetwaterschools.org/
http://www.sweetwaterschools.org/granger-junior-high-takes-center-stage-yet-again/