Educators at Day Creek Intermediate School realize that middle school is a unique moment in students’ academic, social and emotional lives. As Principal David Apodaca notes, “you have to respect the fact that this is a huge transition time in their lives … And if we don’t recognize that and respect that, then academic success will never come.” To support the needs of all students, this large and diverse middle school has implemented a program called Personally Achieving Character and Knowledge, or PACK – a daily embedded class period where all students received targeted enrichment, intervention, and social-emotional development.

Read the accompanying video Reflection Guide to help prompt further ideas for your school or district context.
Read a transcript of the Day Creek Intermediate School video.
Read Day Creek Intermediate School’s 2019 National Blue Ribbon School application.
School Information
Day Creek Intermediate SchoolMr. David Apodaca
Principal at time of Nomination
Etiwanda, CA 91739-9031
(909) 803-3300
Student Demographics 2019 | |
---|---|
Number of students 6-8 | 1288 |
Students eligible for subsidized meals | 29% |
Students receiving special ed services | 8% |
ELL Students | 5% |
African American students | 6% |
White students | 29% |
American Indian or Alaska Native students | 1% |
Asian students | 27% |
Hispanic or Latino students | 33% |
Student mobility rate | 3% |
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