HOME OF THE TIGERS

Waterford Jr High is one of the highest achieving junior high schools in Stanislaus County!

It's time to give your neighborhood Jr High School a good look.

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

At Waterford Junior High School, our mission is to foster a growth mindset in students by cultivating an environment that support students academically and emotionally through high quality instruction, high levels of learning, professional interactions, productive experiences, and opportunities to contribute positively to society. The entire staff at Waterford Junior High School believes that each child is unique and deserving of a rich educational environment. We are proud to offer a variety of programs and clubs to enhance student’s educational experience. We are also proud to offer several sports programs including soccer, volleyball, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball and track. We believe it is important for Junior High School students to stay involved in school activities and groups to receive support, have positive role models, and set personal goals. We strive to teach students that Tiger Pride reflects high academic achievement and school involvement for the betterment of our community. During the 2018-19 school year, we began promoting that students, "Be Positive, Be Productive, and Be Professional." These behavior expectations are modeled and posted throughout the school and students are rewarded for displaying and following these behavior expectations.

BE POSITIVE, BE PRODUCTIVE, BE PROFESSIONAL

OUR MISSION

At Waterford Jr High School, our mission is to develop self-directed and collaborative learners who are college, career, and community ready.

BEST STUDENTS, BEST STAFF, BEST SCHOOL

Our students are scoring among the highest in English/Language Arts on state tests in Stanislaus County.

Our comprehensive 7th & 8th grade Jr. High includes:

  • CARING TEACHERS: Highly qualified and supportive staff.

  • RIGOROUS ACADEMICS: We support students who need extra help and AND those who need to be challenged.

  • GREAT CURRICULUM: New English Language Arts and Honors Math curriculum.

  • FUN ELECTIVES: Music, Technology, Arts, Spanish, Yearbook, and Leadership.

  • CLUBS: California Junior Scholarship Federation, Cooking, Cookie Decorating, Recycling, Anime, Cartooningh, and Book Club - among others.

  • AWARDS: Attendance, Academics, and Citizenship.

  • ATHLETICS: Soccer, Volleyball, Wrestling, and Track.

  • FIELD TRIPS: Colleges, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and Disneyland Leadership, among others.

  • WHOLISTIC HEALTH: We pay extra attention to the academic and socio-emotional well-being of every student, and our students have daily access to their counselor and socio-emotional support staff.

  • NO-COST MEALS: Breakfast and lunch are to all students at no-cost, daily.

  • AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Students who enroll in the After School Program may stay until 6pm to receive dinner, get homework help, and participate in fun extracurriculars.

monthly character awards

ALL THAT!

VOLUNTEERISM

MONTHLY CHARACTER AWARDS

Each month, teachers nominate students who display good character, such as our three BE's, kindness, friendliness, attentiveness in class, and more. These students are acknowledged in a special lunchtime celebration where teachers talk about the reasons those students stood out to them that month, and students enjoy pizza and ice cream.

ALL T-HAT

Our all T-HAT awards celebrate classes whose students are all on Time, with Homework completed, zero Absences, and zero Tardies! These hard working classes are awarded with special treats and recognition from Principal Hall and staff.

VOLUNTEERISM

Our Tiger staff models volunteerism every day as they lead clubs and after school activities out of a genuine love for their students and desire to see them thrive. Participating in volunteer opportunities is an important part of learning to be a good citizen who contributes positively to their city and society.

Students are taught the value of volunteerism through the CIF club. Both students and parents can volunteer for events like our site project during the Love Waterford's City Wide Volunteer Day. Parents are encouraged to volunteer anytime throughout the year, and/or by joining one of our parent groups or site counsel. Learn more about ways you can volunteer on our Parent Involvement Page.

Mental Health Week

We celebrate mental health week each May with a week full of fun and engaging lunchtime activities, competitions, and dress up days.

Students, quite literally, RACE to the line to be involved in the activities our awesome school counselors plan. These activities teach students that their mental health matters, break down stigmas, and reinforce the availability of counselors and resources to support struggling students.

Kindness Week

We celebrate the Great Kindness Challenge annually during the last week of January. Through dress up days, a variety of games, and interactive lessons, students learn to become promoters of kindness.

The Great Kindness Challenge Week is a positive, action-based bullying prevention initiative that creates a school culture of kindness, compassion, and respect.

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week takes place annually on the last week of October, and reinforces our mission to keep kids drug-free.

Through games, activities, and dress up days, teachers engage students in the conversations about the risks and repercussions of drug use.

Waterford Jr High also has an active Jr. PHAST club, where students learn leadership skills and become advocates to their peers to keep their campus drug and tobacco free.

WJHS

OUR HISTORY

Waterford Jr High school is the oldest school in Waterford Unified School District. The main building was dedicated in 1946. Over the years, it has housed every age of student, until the district grew large enough to necessitate building on the new campuses. A variety of renovations and updates have taken place over the years to maintain and elevate its use, and the overall facility has been rated "exemplary" during its last FIT report.

Waterford Jr High is eager to being the next stage of renovations, which will include refacing the school front, entrance, windows, and drop off area beginning in the summer of 2022.

Waterford Jr High is currently home to around 240 7th and 8th grade students.