Jonata Middle School

Safety is our top priority. We have secure campus entry points, regular emergency drills, and on-site staff trained in emergency response. Our visitor management system ensures that all guests are signed in and monitored.

Standard Response Protocol (SRP)

Overview

The Standard Response Protocol (SRP) is a protocol that can be implemented in a variety of different emergency situations. When an emergency occurs, it is critical that staff members take immediate steps to protect themselves, their students, and other people on campus. With a standard response, staff can follow specific directions without having to learn extensive protocols for each of several dozen different emergency situations. Staff, certificated and classified, will be given multiple opportunities annually to be trained on the Standard Response Protocol. 

Staff members must learn and train on each Standard Response Protocol and be prepared to perform assigned responsibilities. All students must be familiar with actions to take in the event that a standard response is implemented.

See the following pages for more details on the Standard Response Protocol.

Jonata Middle School begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m., with after-school, before-school, and weekend programs available for students.

Free breakfast is available for all students each school day from 8:00–8:20 a.m., ensuring students start the day nourished and ready to learn.

AM Study Corner is offered Monday–Friday from 7:00–8:00 a.m. in the library, providing students with a calm, structured environment to prepare for the school day. Students may receive support with classwork, complete missing assignments, study for assessments, read, or organize materials. This time is especially helpful for students who benefit from a strong start to their morning.

PM Study Corner is available Tuesday–Thursday from 3:15–4:15 p.m. in the library and serves as an academic extension of the school day. Students can work independently or receive guidance on homework completion, organization, and study skills. This support helps reinforce learning, build productive habits, and reduce stress at home.

Math Lab provides targeted math support and intervention led by certificated teachers. It is available on Mondays from 1:35–2:35 p.m. and Tuesday–Thursday from 3:15–4:15 p.m. in Room 25. During Math Lab, students receive small-group or individualized instruction focused on skill development, concept reinforcement, and closing learning gaps. Math Lab is also a space where students can receive help with current class assignments and prepare for upcoming assessments.

Across Study Corner and Math Lab, certificated teachers work closely with students to:

• Provide academic intervention and enrichment

• Support completion of classwork and assignments

• Reinforce key skills and concepts

• Build confidence, independence, and positive study habits

• Offer a safe, structured, and supportive learning environment

The Saturday Learning Opportunity is offered once a month to provide students with additional academic support in a focused, encouraging environment. This optional program allows students to receive targeted instruction from certificated teachers, complete missing or incomplete assignments, strengthen key skills, and receive individualized help aligned to classroom expectations. Saturday sessions also offer time for intervention, assessment preparation, and skill reinforcement while helping students build responsibility and confidence in their learning. By extending learning beyond the regular school week, the Saturday Learning Opportunity supports academic growth, promotes positive attendance habits, and ensures students have multiple opportunities to succeed.

These opportunities reflect our commitment to meeting students where they are and providing multiple pathways for academic success.

Registration is straightforward and can be done online or in person at the school office. Required documents include proof of residence, birth certificate, and immunization records.

Parents and community members play an integral role in supporting the educational program at Jonata Middle School. The school actively encourages parent participation and values the strong partnership that exists between families, staff, and the broader Buellton community.

Parents are invited to serve as active members on a variety of committees and councils, as well as to attend School Board meetings to remain informed about district initiatives, programs, and goals. Participation in these groups provides parents the opportunity to contribute to the decision-making process, helping to shape educational priorities and ensure that instructional programs align with student needs and district objectives.

Committees and councils available for parent involvement include the Parent, Teacher & Student Association (PTSA), District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), School Site Council (SSC), District Advisory Council (DAC), Wellness Committee, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Committee, and Technology Committee.

For more information or to learn how to become involved, please contact Casey McKeen, Principal, at (805) 688-4222 or via email at cmckeen@buelltonusd.org.

Technology is integrated to enhance learning. Innovation and enrichment are central to the Jonata experience. Our 1:1 Chromebook program, integration of Google Apps for Education, and classroom technology enhance learning across disciplines, while enrichment within core classes challenges students to extend their skills and explore subjects in depth. We currently have a partnership with Santa Ynez Valley Union High School where students are able to be dually enrolled and take Algebra I at the high school level for credit!

Jonata Middle School offers a comprehensive range of programs and supports designed to meet the academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs of our diverse student population. Our special education services include targeted instruction, accommodations, and related services aligned to students’ Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), with a strong emphasis on inclusion, collaboration, and access to grade-level curriculum. Certificated special education teachers and instructional assistants provide push-in and small-group support, while progress is closely monitored to ensure students make meaningful growth. Our English Language Development (ELD) program supports multilingual learners through designated ELD instruction, integrated language support across content areas, and ongoing assessment to build academic language, literacy, and confidence. In addition, students are provided with enrichment opportunities that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and academic challenge within the classroom and through extension activities.

In addition to specialized programs, Jonata provides multiple layers of intervention and enrichment to support all learners. Academic supports such as AM and PM Study Corner, Math Lab, Saturday Learning Opportunities, Flex classes, and targeted small-group instruction allow students to receive timely intervention, complete coursework, and strengthen foundational skills. Behavior supports are grounded in restorative practices, clear expectations, and proactive interventions that help students develop self-regulation and accountability. Together, these programs ensure Jonata Middle School meets students where they are, removes barriers to learning, and provides multiple pathways for every student to thrive academically and personally.

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:
Casey McKeen, Principal

Jonata Middle School
Buellton Union School District
Phone: (805) 688-4442
 

Jonata Middle School was recently recognized as a 2025 Educational Results Partnership (ERP) Honor Roll School for our high academic achievement and student success.

The ERP Honor Roll program, sponsored by the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE), is part of a national effort to identify higher-performing schools and districts that are improving student outcomes and preparing students with the skills employers value and demand. This recognition went to 19 schools in Santa Barbara County. Jonata Middle School is one of 1,834 public schools in California to earn this recognition.

The ERP Honor Roll utilizes public school student achievement data from the past three years of CAASPP results to identify successful schools and districts. Jonata Middle School school stands out because they have demonstrated ability to help students reach grade-level achievement and beyond.

Schools that receive the ERP Honor Roll distinction demonstrate:
✅ Consistently high levels of student academic achievement
✅ Improvement in achievement levels over time
✅ Reduction in achievement gaps among student populations

Additional details about the ERP Honor Roll:
📊 It is the only award given in collaboration with state and local business leaders.
🏆 It establishes a high bar of performance using statewide student assessment data.
📚 It is conducted by Educational Results Partnership, a nonprofit organization that maintains the nation’s largest database on student achievement.

Jonata did not apply for this award — our results led them to us! Because of this accomplishment, Jonata Middle School will be featured on the ERP Honor Roll website at ED Results Website. (page 63 of the "Honor Roll" document).

Buellton Union School District is deeply thankful for the hard work of our students, staff, and families. This recognition reflects our community’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence, growth, and our “Best in the Valley” vision.

Once again, congratulations Bulldogs — and let’s keep up the great work! 💙💛
#BestInTheValley #JonataForever

 

En nombre de la comunidad escolar de Jonata Middle School, ¡quiero felicitarles a usted y a su(s) estudiante(s)! Jonata Middle School ha sido reconocida como una Escuela Honor Roll 2025 por Educational Results Partnership (ERP) por su alto rendimiento académico y éxito estudiantil.

El programa ERP Honor Roll, patrocinado por la Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE), forma parte de un esfuerzo nacional para identificar escuelas y distritos con alto rendimiento que están mejorando los resultados estudiantiles y preparando a los estudiantes con las habilidades que los empleadores valoran y demandan. Jonata Middle School es una de las 1,834 escuelas públicas en California que ha recibido este reconocimiento.

El ERP Honor Roll utiliza los datos de rendimiento estudiantil de los últimos tres años de los exámenes CAASPP para identificar escuelas y distritos exitosos. Jonata Middle School destaca por su capacidad comprobada de ayudar a los estudiantes a alcanzar y superar el nivel de grado esperado.

Las escuelas que reciben la distinción ERP Honor Roll demuestran:
✅ Niveles consistentemente altos de rendimiento académico
✅ Mejora continua en los niveles de logro a lo largo del tiempo
✅ Reducción de las brechas de rendimiento entre diferentes grupos de estudiantes

Detalles adicionales sobre el ERP Honor Roll:
📊 Es el único premio otorgado en colaboración con líderes empresariales estatales y locales.
🏆 Establece un alto estándar de desempeño utilizando datos de evaluaciones estatales.
📚 Es administrado por Educational Results Partnership, una organización sin fines de lucro que mantiene la base de datos más grande del país sobre el rendimiento estudiantil.

Jonata Middle School No solicito este premio — ¡nuestros resultados nos llevaron a ellos! Gracias a este logro, Jonata Middle School será destacada en el sitio web de ERP Honor Roll en ED Results Website.

Buellton Union School District esta profundamente agradecido por el esfuerzo de nuestros estudiantes, personal y familias. Este reconocimiento refleja el compromiso continuo de nuestra comunidad con la excelencia académica, el crecimiento y nuestra visión “Best in the Valley”.

¡Felicitaciones nuevamente, Bulldogs! 💙💛
#BestInTheValley #JonataForever