Fifth grade students from Long Beach Learning Activities to Raise Creativity (LARC) delivered an outstanding performance in the first of three meets in this year’s WordMasters Challenge™, with multiple students scoring in the top 5% nationally and two earning perfect scores in the highly competitive Gold Division. Fifth graders Jiya Klarner and August Rodabaugh achieved perfect scores of 20, a rare distinction earned by only 35 fifth-grade students nationwide. Their achievement highlights both exceptional vocabulary mastery and advanced critical-thinking skills.

Additionally, to the perfect scores, several other LARC students placed in the top 5% of scores nationally, including Max April, Blythe Aull, Dylan Davies, Declan Garvey, Tyler Gorman, Charles Johnston, Rafe Kaminsky, Beckett McCaffrey-Ricardo and Ryan McMahon.

The WordMasters Challenge™ is a nationally recognized competition that emphasizes critical thinking and verbal reasoning. The WordMasters Challenge™ encourages students to become familiar with a set of interesting new words and then challenges them to use those words to complete analogies expressing various kinds of logical relationships. Working to solve the analogies helps students learn to think both analytically and metaphorically. With two more meets remaining this year, Long Beach LARC students have set an impressive standard of excellence and look forward to continued success in the WordMasters Challenge™.

Long Beach High School sophomores, juniors and seniors were invited to attend a panel presentation and discussion with members of the Class of 2025 alumni for the school’s annual Alumni Day that was held on Jan. 9. This year’s alumni panel included the following members: Angel Garcia, Isabella Alley, Gabe Asuncion, Ally Ayestas, Riley Barshak, Daniel Brenner, Jackson Carroll, Keyi Chen, Ariana Jara, Hailey Pilch, Stephania Robinson (MC) and Haylee Senter.

The former Long Beach High School students gave current students a first-hand accounting of the college process and college life. Alumni Day is hosted by the school’s counseling department and takes place in the school’s auditorium giving current students an opportunity to participate in a candid question and answer session to discuss post-graduation life and discuss all topics related to college life and academic success.  Some of those questions included, “How do you pick college classes, what happens if you don’t like your roommate and how do you prioritize your day without getting overwhelmed.”  

In addition to sitting on the panel, alumni visited throughout the week and presented to classes on various topics related to college; transition to college; how to succeed in high school. “It is so great when our graduates come back to share their experiences with the current students,” said Long Beach Coordinator of School Counseling Jaclyn McMahon. “The college application process can be stressful, and our seniors receive advice from parents, counselors and teachers, but it has a different impact when it comes from their peers.” 

You're invited to a royally fun night of theater!  Come see the Long Beach Middle School musical Once Upon a Mattress - a hilarious twist on the classic fairy tale that's full of laughter, catchy songs, and amazing student talent.  Performances are Thursday, February 5 and Friday, February 6 at 7:00pm in the Long Beach Middle School auditorium.  Click here to purchase tickets.

Date Added: 1/12/2026

LBMS recently hosted students and families for a seventh and eighth grade transition night. The soon-to-be seventh and eighth grade students had a chance to learn about classes, clubs and activities that are offered respectively.  Students and families were invited to explore department and club table displays that were set up throughout the library and cafeteria also giving them the chance to speak with teachers and other students as well as listen to presentations relating to scheduling. Special thanks to school counselors, Dr. Darkeh and Mrs. McDonnell, for their scheduling presentations and to department directors and student presenters for their interactive displays, Mr. Neri and student musicians and the LBMS National Junior Honor Society students for greeting and directing families.
Click here to view the LBMS Seventh and Eighth Grade Transition Night slideshow.

Date Added: 1/12/2026

Long Beach Middle School recently hosted students and families for a seventh and eighth grade transition night. The soon-to-be seventh and eighth grade students had a chance to learn about classes, clubs and activities that are offered respectively.  Students and families were invited to explore department and club table displays that were set up throughout the library and cafeteria also giving them the chance to speak with teachers and other students as well as listen to presentations relating to scheduling.  

 

Date Added: 1/12/2026