Our School
Meet Our Principal
Welcome to Sussman Middle School, Home of the Pioneers!
We are excited about you joining the Sussman family! We have a one of a kind school culture and family atmosphere. Once you are part of team Sussman, you will not want to be anywhere else!
Middle school students experience significant changes in their intellectual, physical, psychological, social-emotional, moral and ethical development and we are committed to giving them the support they need to thrive as they prepare for their futures. Team Sussman goes above and beyond to make sure that our Pioneers are set up for success. We cannot wait for you to meet our Sussman family.
Dr. Connie Quintero
Our Instructional Focus: Writing – Write Here! Write Now!
Our Vision
At Sussman Middle School, 21st-century learners thrive as they prepare for their high school journey to become college and career-ready, globally competitive, and citizens of strong character.
Our Mission
Our mission here at Sussman Middle School is to provide the highest quality education in a safe environment. We strongly believe in building character through positive leadership based upon the six pillars of CHARACTER COUNTS! We want Sussman Middle School to be a place where doing your best, working hard, and having fun is the norm for everyone. Everyone on campus is part of TEAM SUSSMAN and we strive to help everyone be the best they can be. We expect students to take advantage of everything that we have to offer and work to reach their full potential as they prepare to succeed in high school, college, a career, and beyond.
About Our Name
Dr. Edward A. Sussman served as Superintendent of Downey Unified School District from 1986-2003. Prior to this role, he served as Director of Secondary Education (1983–1986) and as Middle School Principal (1981–1983) at South Middle School.
Dr. Sussman earned his Ed.D. and his master’s degree at the University of Southern California. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles.
During his time in Downey Unified, Dr. Sussman implemented strong enforcement of high academic expectations and achievement and developed success models for students. Downey Unified School District received recognition for California Distinguished Schools Awards, National Awards for Exemplary Compensatory Education programs, National School Boards Model Program, and Vocational Education state honors under his leadership. He also worked to implement successful Safe Schools programs in collaboration with the Downey Police Department, and Dr. Sussman holds a lifetime membership to the Downey Council PTA.
Downey Unified School District Board of Education proudly renamed South Middle School Dr. Edward A. Sussman Middle School in 2001. We are proud of the work Dr. Sussman contributed to our community.
