Castillero Middle School (San Jose, California)

Infobox middle school
name = Castillero Middle School


motto =
mascot = Cobra
established = 1977
type = Public
head = Ms.Jonson
city = San Jose
state = California
country = USA
campus = Suburban, convert|3.25|acre|m2
students = 1,279
colors = Green and Gray
homepage = http://www.sjusd.k12.ca.us/sites/mid/Castillero/

Castillero Middle School is a public middle school in San Jose, California, USA. It is a performing and visual arts magnet school. 1,279 children currently attend this school.

History

Andres Castillero Middle School is named after Mexican cavalry captain Don Andrés Castillero, who once owned the mercury mines then called "Le Mina de Santa Clara" [ [http://openpub.realread.com/rrserver/browser?title=/ntmt001/SanJoseMagazine106-1024&page=84 San Jose Magazine] [http://www.openpub.realread.com Realread San Jose Magazine] Retrieved on August 29, 2007.] . He had come to California in 1845 [ [http://openpub.realread.com/rrserver/browser?title=/ntmt001/SanJoseMagazine106-1024&page=84 San Jose Magazine] [http://www.openpub.realread.com Realread San Jose Magazine] Retrieved on August 29, 2007.] to visit the Santa Clara mission when he witnessed the Ohlone Indians using cinnabar powder to paint the mission's walls. He realized the value of the powder and quickly filed a claim for the land where the Ohlone had gotten their red powder. Because of this transaction, Andres Castillero shaped Almaden Valley and the surrounding areas.

Academics

Castillero Middle School is a Blue Ribbon and California Distinguished School. The 2005-2006 Math CST scores for Algebra 1 were 93%. [ [http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/cat6_bytest/5656/ Castillero Middle School CST Information] [http://www.greatschools.net/ Great Schools] Retrieved on July 24 2007] Castillero holds an annual math olympiad in which a few hundred children compete for the team and individual competitions. Its science program is above state average with an average score of 44%. [ [http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/cat6_bytest/5656/ Castillero Middle School CST Information] [http://www.greatschools.net/ Great Schools] Retrieved on July 24 2007] The API score of Castillero for 2006 is 814. [ [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/achievement/ca/5656#toc Castillero Middle School API scores] [http://www.greatschools.net/ Great Schools] Retrieved on July 24 2007 ] All students in Castillero have required courses based on their grade level.
*6th/7th Grade
** 1 semester of science
** 1 semester elective
** 1 year long elective
** 1 year language arts and social studies (core)
** 1 year math
*8th Grade
** 1 or 2 semesters of science
** 0 or 1 semester elective
** 1 year long elective
** 1 year language arts and social studies (core)
** 1 year math
* Some advanced classes take place in a 00 period before school or 07 period after school. Any classes during this time are considered to be an additional year long elective that does not take the place of the required year long elective

Clubs

Chess Club

The Chess Club is run by the pre-algebra and geometry teacher Wesley Woo. It has an annual school-wide chess tournament.

Campus Life

This is a Christian club which discusses values and how to use them in your "campus life." They give out free pizza.

Needlecraft Club

This club is for sewers and knitters who wish to refine their skills or for beginners who wish to learn how to knit. It is run by the language arts teacher Laura Carroll.

Co-Curriculars

Knowledge Masters Team

At meetings, the participant children answer questions on various topics. In the 2006-2007 year, the team placed 8th place in the state competition. It is run by the Language Arts and Social Studies teacher Ms.Appel.

peech & Debate Team

It is home to three in-house tournaments. It is run by the Language Arts teacher Rebecca O'Connor. The first half of the year is spent on teachings skills that have to do with public speaking, while the second half is dedicated to debate. It competes at the San Jose Unified School District tournament.

Faculty

Castillero's principal is Sue Walker. It has four vice principals. For a full list go to [http://www.sjusd.k12.ca.us/sites/mid/Castillero/contact_department.html Castillero Middle School's department lists]

Demographics

Castillero Middle School [ [http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/ca/other/5656#toc Great Schools Student Information] [http://www.greatschools.net/ Great Schools] Retrieved on July 24 2007 ] :

Location

Castillero Middle School is on 6384 Leyland Park Dr. in San Jose, California. It is in Almaden Valley, an affluent neighborhood. The median income is $81,897. [ [http://www.homescape.com/local/CA/Almaden_Valley/ Homescape Real Estate Information] [http://www.homescape.com/ Homescape] Retrieved on July 24, 2007.]

Arts

Visual Arts

*There are [http://www.sjusd.k12.ca.us/sites/mid/Castillero/student_made_pages/student_art/period7/teachers.html| three teachers] which teach art classes which range from introductory classes to difficult art masters classes.
**Exploratory Art 1 [ [http://www.sjusd.k12.ca.us/sites/mid/Castillero/student_made_pages/student_art/period7/art1.html art 1 page ] ]
***This art class is one semester long. It focuses on beginning perceptual drawing and the elements of design
**Exploratory Art 2
***This art class is one semester long. It focuses on drawing with an emphasis on shading, proportional enlargement, painting, clay sculpture, and basic one point perspective.
**Art 3
***Art 1 and 2 are prerequisites and this class is one semester long. The class is one semester long and it focuses on the expressive properties of design elements, the principles of design, and advanced paper-mache sculpture.
**World Class Art
***This class is one semester long and works on projects based on cultures around the world.
**Masters Art
***This class is one year long and requires submission of art portfolios. Students study 20th century art, paint masterpieces, portraits in drawing, sculpture in mixed media, logo design, and illustration.

Performing Arts

*Band
** There are three concert bands and three jazz ensembles under the direction of Joseph DeMar. All of the jazz ensembles and the Advanced concert band compete at the Anaheim Heritage Festival.
*Choir
**Choir is taught under the instruction of David Finch, and consists of Bel Canto, Jazz Choir, Show Stoppers, Concert Chorale, and 6th Grade Choir. All Choirs attend the Festivals of Music competition in Anaheim.
*Dance
**Dance is taught by Michelle Crivello and ranges from Beginning to Advanced classes. The most advanced group, Dance Infinia, attends the Festivals of Music competition in Anaheim.
*Drama
**Drama is taught by Sharol Felch and has four possible courses consisted of Beginning to Advanced groups and one Tour group. Advanced Drama shows a musical every spring. All Drama Students may choose to go to New York every 2 Years.
*Orchestra
**Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced and Chamber orchestra are taught by Scott Krijnen. Advanced and Chamber Orchestra attend the Anaheim Heritage Festival.

Notable Alumni

*Alan Chang, the pianist/musical director for Michael Bublé

ee also

* Bret Harte Middle School (San Jose, California)
* Leland High School (San Jose, California)
* San Jose Unified School District

References

External links

* [http://www.sjusd.k12.ca.us/sites/mid/Castillero/ Castillero Middle School]