Chaparral Middle School (Diamond Bar, California)

Chaparral Middle School is a public middle school in Diamond Bar, CA which was opened in 1976. The school's mascot is the Cougar. Regular school hours are Monday through Friday 07:45 AM - 1:55 PM. As of the 2006-2007 school year, the school has an enrollment of approximately 1,350.
Chaparral offers a diverse assortment of learning programs all centered around student success and achievement, as evidenced by the many honors that we have received throughout the years. Chaparral Middle School was honored as a California Distinguished School in 1994 and 1999, and as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2002.

In addition to a traditional, standards based curriculum, Chaparral Middle School offers Design-Based Learning, which focuses on a curriculum of real-world projects presented in stages throughout the school year to connect the academic subjects. Students engaged in Design-Based Learning are required to draw from many disciplines to solve problems, and must present their projects to classmates where they then receive feedback and continue to modify their creations until they build an acceptable project. The tremendous success of Chaparral’s DBL program is evidenced in its receipt of a “Golden Bell Award” in December of 2006. The Golden Bell Award is given to schools by the California School Boards Association for exemplary programs which focus on curriculum and instruction.

Many other programs make Chaparral Middle School a unique and excellent place of learning. One example of this is our outdoor education program. Each year, we provide our students with a week-long, outdoor field trip to the Arrowhead Ranch Outdoor Science School in sixth grade, the Catalina Island Marine Institute in seventh grade, and the Yosemite Institute at Yosemite National Park in eighth grade. These experiences allow students the opportunity to engage in hands-on, memorable learning experiences.

Finally, Chaparral Middle School offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities, many of which have received numerous awards throughout the years. These programs include an award-winning orchestra and music program, a competitive athletic program, numerous service organizations, and various other clubs and groups that all students are encouraged to become involved in. Finally, Chaparral’s attention to the education of the whole child makes it unique among middle schools; teachers and administrators dedicate a block of time every day to the character development of our students.

Curriculum

Design-Based Learning

In addition to traditional curriculum, Chaparral Middle School offers Design-Based Learning, which focuses on a curriculum of real-world projects presented in stages throughout the school year to connect the academic subjects. It requires students to draw from many disciplines to solve problems.

Outdoor education

Each year, Chaparral Middle School provides its students with a week-long hands-on learning field trip.

• Sixth grade students study at the Arrowhead Ranch Outdoor Science School.
• Seventh grade students study at the Catalina Island Marine Institute.
• Eighth grade students study at the Yosemite Institute at Yosemite National Park.

Awards

Chaparral Middle School was honored as a California Distinguished School in 1994 and 1999 and as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in 2002. And has a nationally acclaimed orchestra directed by Gregory Rochford which performs at Carnigie Hall each year. However, in 2008, the eighth grade orchestra has changed their destination to Washington D.C. to perform in the John F. Kennedy Center because of cost. Chaparral Middle school is also the most awesome school ever. They can prove that with an award we have hidden under the school. This award is presented to them every year by the F.B.I.

Extracurricular activities

• Art club
• Band
• Basketball
• Chess club
• Christian club
• Colorguard
• Lions Clubs International Leo club
• Football
• Cross Country
• Track & Field
• Orchestra

External links

• Walnut Valley Unified School District
• Chaparral Middle School Home Page