On Thursday November 15th we gave our annual report to the public.  The following information was presented:

There are twenty-two certified and highly qualified teachers in the middle school this year. There are another nine teachers, a nurse, and a resource officer that are shared with the elementary and high schools. Five paraprofessionals also provide support services to the 351 students. Additional staff includes one principal, one secretary, and one media specialist. The entire staff is focused on the implementation of the new Common Core State Standards. We are trying to cover fewer topics in a much greater level of depth. The goal is to try to get the students to think critically and become effective problem solvers. Time, energy, and resources are being used to help produce students who are on their way to becoming college and career ready. Along those lines, there have been thirty-three guest speakers in the Career orientation classes talking to the eighth graders about different jobs.

Other items worthy of mention include the eighty-seven percent of the students who were proficient or advanced on the literacy portion of the 2012 Benchmark Test. As well as, eighty-five percent of the students who were proficient or advanced on the math portion . Two of the three National Star Events FCCLA winners last year were from the middle school. Last Spring, our students brought home the Overall Junior Division School Trophy from the Northwest Arkansas Science Fair Competition in Fayetteville. They also placed in five more trophy divisions at the OUR Math Carnival. Additionally, several students also placed in NATCO and VFW Essay Contest. Finally, ninety-one students read a million words or more words for the year.

So far this year, twenty-one of the middle school kids showed animals at the fair, and fourteen of those were winners. We have forty-three students participating in archery and or trap shooting. Twenty-three girls played volleyball this season, 154 students are participating in basketball, and there are fourteen cheerleaders.  In addition, eighty sixth through eighth graders are involved in the band.  Of the forty middle school choir students, we have one All Region Choir singer and one Northwest Regional Jr. High Men’s Choir singer. One of the major focus areas for students this year has been to “Make Good Decisions,” and we are pleased to report that  232 kids had nothing less than a C on their first report card, and 276 kids have had neither a homework nor behavioral detention!!!

Thank you so much for your continued support,

Sarah Alexander