Welcome to Jonata Middle School

.. A Calfornia Distinguished School

Jonata Middle School's vision is to ensure that all students are motivated, successful learners who contribute to the global community. Success is developed through a strong academic learning environment that is enhanced by student creativity and independent development. Students are provided a variety of challenging learning experiences under the guidance of a committed, professional, nurturing staff, supportive parents, and community.

Jonata Middle School is a sixth through eighth grade school located in a safe, rural community within the Santa Ynez Valley. The 10-acre campus is situated in a neighborhood with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and a pleasant coastal climate that enhances yearlong outdoor activities.

Jonata is one of two schools in the Buellton Union School District and has a current enrollment of 208 students. Sixth through eighth graders work and learn in a variety of environments including: regular classrooms, science labs, a computer lab, a music room, a library, a fitness room, and the outdoor area. Students have access to a large playground that includes: a soccer field, basketball courts, baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, and numerous court games on a blacktopped area.

The academic programs at Jonata Middle School are comprehensive and research-based. Language arts, math, science, PE, and social studies programs are aligned with the state content standards and textbooks have been purchased from state adoption lists. Elective classes including: Band, the Wheel, Flex Skills, Computers, Art and SUCCESS promote well-rounded students.

Parents and community members are actively involved in the success of Jonata Middle School. Parents volunteer on numerous committees that support continual school improvement. Cross-age tutors from the local high school volunteer in classrooms to enrich various subject areas. Local businesses also provide support by way of supplies and resources for student programs such as art supplies, recognition awards, field trips and scholarships. The local Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) provides fundraisers such as book fairs, jog-a-thons, and a carnival that raise money to help support programs and enhance student learning.

Students at Jonata Middle School are guided by specific rules and classroom expectations that promote safety, respect, and responsibility through the school-wide program, "Building Effective Schools Together" (BEST). The school's discipline philosophy promotes a safe school with a warm and friendly classroom environment, and demonstrates that good discipline is a solid foundation on which to build an effective school. The goal of the school's discipline program is to provide students with opportunities to learn self-discipline through a system of consistent rewards and consequences for their behavior.

Staff collaboration makes Jonata Middle School a productive learning environment for students. Weekly "Monday Meetings" provide staff with the time to accomplish many things including: discussing the needs of specific students; creating benchmarks and assessing their results to improve instruction; and planning cooperatively in grade level or in subject areas teams.  The staff at Jonata promotes a positive learning environment where students are praised for their successes, have fun, and are challenged to think and perform academically to the best of their ability. The teachers and staff at Jonata Middle School work as a team to assist all students in reaching their potential.