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students celebrate the “Schools To Watch” designation | Courtesy Luther Burbank Middle School
HIGHLAND PARK — It was only a few years ago when L.A. Unified launched a top-to-bottom shake up of Luther Burbank Middle School amid eroding academic performance and complaints from students, parents and staff. Since then, the school’s test scores have jumped and a new gymnasium and other facilities have opened on the Figueroa Street campus. The school’s upswing has caught the attention of education groups, which have held up Luther Burbank as a role model for high-performing middle schools.
Last month, the school held a ceremony to celebrate being included in the California Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage program, which has recognized only 66 model schools since 2003, according to Luther Burbank officials. Said Principal Christine Moore in a statement:
“We are thrilled to have received this recognition. Our staff and students have worked very hard in an exciting and challenging middle school program to demonstrate strong student achievement. This ceremony is an affirmation of the fine work so many have done in the school, district, and larger community.”
![Highland Park robbers hold up Figueroa Street 7-Eleven [updated]](https://www.theeastsiderla.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/aa-272x125.jpg "Highland Park robbers hold up Figueroa Street 7-Eleven [updated]")
That’s fantastic news! Congrats to the staff for their hard work improving the school.
This is great news, especially for gentrification purposes. Schools really define a neighborhood, hopefully Highland Park will be able to brag like Silveake does with Ivanhoe and Marshall. Maybe within a generation the school will completely turn around and further raise property values.
“This is great news, especially for” the parent, students, and longtime residents of HLP.
Congratulations!
Ahhshutup!
Not you Proper Dos! “Ahhshutup!” hp1894 moron,.
I totally agree with you, Tony! Gentrification purposes?? What hp1894 doesn’t understand is that it looks all good on paper. Any school can apply for that recognition. I want to see their student academic data. Sorry, don’t see it yet. All I see as a school with a facelift & new teachers. Aren’t they on their 2nd or 3rd principal since 2011?
Schools and walkability scores are on the rise in Highland Park
Hmmm, perhaps I can afford to have a kid now!
Good on ya, Burbank Bears! We have an 8th-grader Burbankian, and what we’ve seen during these two years is a great atmosphere on campus, on regular class days and during evening events as well. We feel really lucky that Burbank is our local middle school. Congratulations and admiration to the school administration, faculty, staff, and students. You all have a school to be proud of.
keep up the good work!
Continue the momentum, get that API to 900 and show your neighbors you’re every bit as smart.
Plus, independent of the scores.. continue to gain that knowledge! That is your ticket to a better life.
I started working at Burbank 10 years ago and it has REALLY changed for the better! It took a lot of hard work. Just wished LAUSD would help the school with more support staff! It is ridiculous that we have TWO office clerks for the whole school.