Middle School Philosophy:
The philosophy is to "provide a positive learning atmosphere designed to meet the unique needs of each adolescent. Building on the basic skills acquired in the Elementary School, students will explore an expanded curriculum while becoming more self-directed in preparation for High School and a life of learning."
Reasons for Implementing the Middle School Concept:
The middle school concept is student centered while the junior high school model is teacher centered. This means that the class schedule is based on student interest and need not on the convenience or needs of the teachers.
The middle school concept also utilizes a common time during the day when the core teachers can meet to communicate about student needs, successes, plan cross-curricular activities plan curricular revisions based on student needs. This time also provides opportunity for parents to meet with the core teachers to discuss student success or to plan interventions to help the student find success. The teachers also confer with students and support staff such as the resource teachers during this time. This time also provides support among them as they deal with the fast changing social and emotional nature of the early adolescent. Consistency is very important during early adolescence, and that consistency is fostered by the communication with occurs during this time.
As stated earlier, homeroom has fostered more positive interaction between students of different grade levels. Prior to homeroom, there was much more frequent hazing and initiation between sixth and eighth grade students. Homeroom was also designed to establish a positive and supportive relationship between a group of students and a staff member, with the hopes that the student would seek out this advisor if they needed support. In a student survey, 93% of the students responded that homeroom was important.
The middle school concept..........
