Oak Avenue Intermediate School
Encyclopedia
Oak Avenue Intermediate School is a two-year public intermediate, junior high, or middle school
, located in Temple City, California
, in the west San Gabriel Valley
.
Lawton Gray, formerly dean of students and assistant principal at Temple City High School, was named principal in April 2007.
was established on July 1, 1954 and incorporated Oak Avenue Intermediate School, formerly part of the Pasadena Unified School District. Before 1956, Temple City public school students would attend Pasadena High School
after Oak Avenue, but in 1956 the first 12th grade class in the district graduated at Oak Avenue.
Both departments have three levels of proficiency; beginning, intermediate, and advanced. The advanced band is given the further sobriquet of "Royals Concert Band". Each year the departments participate in different events. The Royals Band, for example, marches in various parades throughout the school's second semester. In 2006, the Royals Band won their first ever sweepstakes with a score of 92.2 and in 2007, they won another sweepstakes at Laguna Beach with a score of 90.6.
On March 28, 2006, Oak Avenue's various bands and orchestras received a rating of Superior or Excellent from The Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). The ratings, assigned to numerous schools, forego any placement, therefore no school can "win." Possible ratings include (from highest to lowest) Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. Although these ratings are set by experienced music educators, the ratings received are not as important as the learning process preceding performances. In March 2007, for the first time in Oak Avenue's history, all bands and orchestras received a unanimous Superior rating.
A setback for the Royals Marching Band came on February 22, 2007, when a presumable noise complaint had delayed any practice on the street they have practiced for over twenty years. Additionally, the last of the five events that the Royals Marching Band participated in had been terminated due to financial issues and the fact that only four bands (including the Royals Marching Band) were willing to participate. These two factors, however, did not end up hurting the 2007-2008 marching season. A compromise was settled with the street residents, and the band initiated a field day in which other middle school bands came to Oak Avenue.
is recognized as "A District of Distinguished Schools" as all the public schools have been awarded the Distinguished School Award
by the California Department of Education
, placing each awarded school in the top five percent of California's public schools in the given year.
Oak Avenue Intermediate School (grades 7–8) and Temple City High School
(grades 9–12), received the award in 1996 just a year after
Cloverly Elementary School (grades 4–6) was the first to receive the award, in 1995. One year later, in 1997, both Emperor Elementary School
(grades K–6) and La Rosa Elementary School (grades K–3) received the award, followed by Longden Elementary School (grades K–6) in 2004.
, or any other high school, a student of Oak Avenue must not have more than two failing grades for a class. If they received more than two failing grades in one year, then they will not promote to high school and might have to repeat 8th grade in the Junior Academy.
Middle school
Middle School and Junior High School are levels of schooling between elementary and high schools. Most school systems use one term or the other, not both. The terms are not interchangeable...
, located in Temple City, California
Temple City, California
Temple City is a city in Los Angeles County, California. Temple City is part of a cluster of cities, along with Arcadia, Rosemead, Monterey Park, San Marino, and San Gabriel, in the west San Gabriel Valley with a rapidly growing Asian population. Temple City also has a Cuban and Puerto Rican...
, in the west San Gabriel Valley
San Gabriel Valley
The San Gabriel Valley is one of the principal valleys of Southern California, United States. It lies to the east of Los Angeles, to the north of the Puente Hills, to the south of the San Gabriel Mountains, and west of the Inland Empire. It derives its name from the San Gabriel River that flows...
.
Lawton Gray, formerly dean of students and assistant principal at Temple City High School, was named principal in April 2007.
History
The Temple City Unified School DistrictTemple City Unified School District
Temple City Unified School District is the governing public school system of Temple City, California, in the West San Gabriel Valley. Encompassing approximately four square miles, the District includes within its boundaries most of the incorporated city of Temple City, small areas of Arcadia and...
was established on July 1, 1954 and incorporated Oak Avenue Intermediate School, formerly part of the Pasadena Unified School District. Before 1956, Temple City public school students would attend Pasadena High School
Pasadena High School (Pasadena, California)
-History:The school was first established as a district school in 1884 and became Pasadena High School in 1891. In 1928, the school merged into Pasadena Junior College and operated as a four-year school, grades 11, 12, 13 and 14. Pasadena realigned its 6-4-4 school system in 1954 with Pasadena High...
after Oak Avenue, but in 1956 the first 12th grade class in the district graduated at Oak Avenue.
Electives
Students at Oak Avenue must take Mathematics, English, Social Studies, Science, and Physical Education for the full two years, but may choose an elective class. Typical elective classes include Art, Auxiliaries, Drill, Cheer, Computer Applications, Creative Thinking, 20th Century History Makers, Creative English, Band, Graphic Communication, Music Appreciation, Newspaper, Orchestra, Chorus, Astronomy and Yearbook.Performing arts
Oak Avenue's music program offers two departments; band, consisting woodwind instruments, such as such as the flute, piccolo, clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone (including alto, tenor, and baritone), the brass instruments: trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, baritone and percussion instruments starting at the Intermediate level (see below); while orchestra consists of strings, such as violin, viola, cello, and bass—a symphony orchestra, in contrast, combines winds, percussions, and strings into a single body. The band and orchestra manage to combine once every year to form a symphony orchestra in able to play a specific song to the entire school.Both departments have three levels of proficiency; beginning, intermediate, and advanced. The advanced band is given the further sobriquet of "Royals Concert Band". Each year the departments participate in different events. The Royals Band, for example, marches in various parades throughout the school's second semester. In 2006, the Royals Band won their first ever sweepstakes with a score of 92.2 and in 2007, they won another sweepstakes at Laguna Beach with a score of 90.6.
On March 28, 2006, Oak Avenue's various bands and orchestras received a rating of Superior or Excellent from The Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA). The ratings, assigned to numerous schools, forego any placement, therefore no school can "win." Possible ratings include (from highest to lowest) Superior, Excellent, Good, Fair, and Poor. Although these ratings are set by experienced music educators, the ratings received are not as important as the learning process preceding performances. In March 2007, for the first time in Oak Avenue's history, all bands and orchestras received a unanimous Superior rating.
A setback for the Royals Marching Band came on February 22, 2007, when a presumable noise complaint had delayed any practice on the street they have practiced for over twenty years. Additionally, the last of the five events that the Royals Marching Band participated in had been terminated due to financial issues and the fact that only four bands (including the Royals Marching Band) were willing to participate. These two factors, however, did not end up hurting the 2007-2008 marching season. A compromise was settled with the street residents, and the band initiated a field day in which other middle school bands came to Oak Avenue.
Distinguished School Award
The Temple City Unified School DistrictTemple City Unified School District
Temple City Unified School District is the governing public school system of Temple City, California, in the West San Gabriel Valley. Encompassing approximately four square miles, the District includes within its boundaries most of the incorporated city of Temple City, small areas of Arcadia and...
is recognized as "A District of Distinguished Schools" as all the public schools have been awarded the Distinguished School Award
California Distinguished School
A California Distinguished School is an award given by the California State Board of Education to public schools within the state that best represent exemplary and quality educational programs. Approximately five percent of California schools are awarded this honor each year following a selection...
by the California Department of Education
California Department of Education
The California Department of Education is a California agency that oversees public education. The department oversees funding and testing, and holds local educational agencies accountable for student achievement...
, placing each awarded school in the top five percent of California's public schools in the given year.
Oak Avenue Intermediate School (grades 7–8) and Temple City High School
Temple City High School
Temple City High School is a four-year public high school located in Temple City, California, in the West San Gabriel Valley.-History:...
(grades 9–12), received the award in 1996 just a year after
Cloverly Elementary School (grades 4–6) was the first to receive the award, in 1995. One year later, in 1997, both Emperor Elementary School
Emperor Elementary School
Emperor Elementary School is a traditional seven-year K-6 elementary school, or primary school, located in San Gabriel, California, in the west San Gabriel Valley and is part of the Temple City Unified School District.-Awards:...
(grades K–6) and La Rosa Elementary School (grades K–3) received the award, followed by Longden Elementary School (grades K–6) in 2004.
Differentiated Staffing
Differentiated staffing has been successfully implemented at Oak Avenue to such an extent that it has been use as an example in Differentiated Staffing in Schools. A Review of Current Policies and Programs by Joseph Stocker, published by National School Public Relations Assn., 1201 16th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036California Academic Partnership Program
Oak Avenue is an active participant in the CSU California Academic Partnership Program with Lawton Gray of the Oak Avenue staff serving on the CAPP advisory committee.Promotion Requirements
In order to promote to Temple City High SchoolTemple City High School
Temple City High School is a four-year public high school located in Temple City, California, in the West San Gabriel Valley.-History:...
, or any other high school, a student of Oak Avenue must not have more than two failing grades for a class. If they received more than two failing grades in one year, then they will not promote to high school and might have to repeat 8th grade in the Junior Academy.
External links
- City of Temple City (Official Website)
- Official Website
- SCSBOA
- Temple City Unified School District (Official Website)