Cleveland Heights - University Heights City School District

In 1985, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District created “middle schools” for students in grades 6 through 8. Many of you probably attended a “junior high” school rather than a “middle” school. Most likely, your school housed grades 7 through 9 and prepared you quite well for high school. So you might wonder why the big push to move to “middle schools.” Well, there was more to this organizational change than merely moving the 6th grade to the middle school and the 9th grade to the high school. The middle school philosophy and structure is very different from that of the junior high school. Middle schools are designed to address the special needs of the young adolescent.

Students in this age group (generally 11 – 14 years) have special developmental needs which are unlike those of typical elementary school students in grades 1 through 5, or high school students in grades 9 through 12. Middle school students exhibit a variety of characteristics and behaviors that impact their lives daily. They are changing rapidly – physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. When you visit a middle school, you can instantly notice the difference in the rate of physical growth among the students. This period of rapid change is like being on a roller coaster, experiencing highs and lows every day, and demonstrating a real need for guidance.

Middle school students start to see things in the world around them a little differently. They love to ask complex yet sometimes confusing questions about ideas they used to take for granted. And, of course, forming peer relationships becomes a very high priority during these years.

With all of these changes taking place with the typical middle school student, it’s easy to understand why doing homework, studying, taking class notes, or doing projects seem to get put on hold. Students are much too busy adjusting to the new people they are becoming and finding out how they fit into the world around them.

A student entering the 6th grade at the middle school generally is:

• struggling to adjust to a different school environment
• presented with the expectations of many teachers
• often overwhelmed with being one person in so large a school
• nervous about the prospect of making new friends
• going from being well known in an elementary school to being the “new kid on the block” at the middle school
• at increased risk of failure or diminished self-esteem

The middle school acts as a “bridge” to help students cross over from one stage of education to the next. It is an exciting and essential link in the educational chain.

The District has three middle schools: Monticello, Roxboro, and Wiley. Each school is similar because it follows basic state and District guidelines, yet is unique in its own approach to educating its students. Each school reflects the unique qualities of the individuals who work there and the diverse nature of the school community it serves.

Why is the Team Approach So Important?

Studies done by the National Middle School Association (NMSA) have shown that many benefits result from the team approach provided by true middle schools. Teams provide a smoother transition from elementary school to the middle school while still allowing for the physical and emotional changes that adolescents exhibit.

In order to better meet the needs of the young adolescent, a middle school must be a very special place. It should be a place where:

• The staff is knowledgeable about and committed to young adolescents.
• Education is student oriented and every student can experience success.
• Students have the freedom to explore and develop interests – to believe in themselves.
• Students have a consistent set of rules to meet, and high expectations are coupled with lots of support.
• Every student is accepted and respected as unique.
• The school climate is safe and positive.
• Students can develop strong relationships with adults, and peers and families are allies.
• Students can be part of a family or “team.”
• Commitment and involvement are keys to success.
• Every student gets psychological and emotional support in order to feel good about himself/herself.

Team – The Heart of Middle School

Teachers and students in middle school are grouped in teams. There are several teams in each grade level. These teams provide students with the support they need to be successful during this critical time and later on in high school.

Our middle schools have embraced the “TEAM” approach where:

• Students are randomly assigned to a grade level team in the fall, and students are assigned to a new team each year.
• Each team has a name, logo, and a motto to foster team spirit.
• Teams consist of three or four core academic teachers (Math, English/Reading, Science, Social Studies).
• Team teachers work together to recognize and understand the needs, interests, backgrounds, and motivation of their students, and react to their specific stresses, strains, fears, and frustrations.
• Students get to know the core team teachers for the majority of the class time during the day and can turn to them for advice, assistance, and support.
• Teachers share a common conference period during which they can meet with parents or students to discuss concerns or successes.
• Teachers have team planning time daily to coordinate lessons, alter their team’s schedule, and plan activities.
• Adults work to create a welcoming and friendly atmosphere on each team – a place where students feel like a vital part of the school and team.

Teams are the heart of our middle schools. They provide students with the support needed to be successful during a critical time of their lives.