The document outlines the philosophy and structure of the proposed Developmentally Responsive Middle School, which is committed to promoting academic achievement while also supporting the social-emotional development of students in grades 6-8. Key aspects of the school include teaming students in small groups, offering exploratory classes, utilizing various instructional strategies, and fostering strong family and community involvement to help middle schoolers through this developmental period. The school aims to bridge elementary and high school through its curriculum and extracurricular opportunities.

1. Developmentally Responsive Middle SchoolNew Hope Middle SchoolBy: Molly McRorie, Erin Layton, and Heather McNeil

2. New Hope Middle School

3. Our PhilosophyRecognizing the unique needs of a middle school learner, the New Hope Middle School community is committed to promoting a program that offers a balance between academic achievement and the social-emotional development of all of our students; one which strives to inspire and empower our students to become respectful, responsible lifelong learners in the 21st century.H ands-on O pportunities P romoting E ducation

4. Why Middle School (6-8)?Young adolescents undergo many physical, social, emotional, and intellectual changes that heavily impacts their learning.Placing 6th graders with 7th and 8th graders will facilitate positive learning experiences and nurture their growth.Important to have a school that places major emphasis on 10 to 14 year olds’ developmental and instructional needs andBridges the gap between elementary and high school.

5. Teaming6TH GRADE: 2 teams made up of 3 teachers eachNavigatorsExplorers7TH GRADE: 2 teams made up of 3 teachers eachVoyagersChallengers8TH GRADE: 2 teams made up of 4 teachers eachTitansWarriorsTeaming builds a strong learning community with its sense of family and helps students feel safe and supported

6. Effective teams lead to improved student achievement and positive student attitudesBlock SchedulingLarge blocks of class time allows for more valuable and enriched teaching timeTeachers are able to conduct valuable learning experiences, such as field trips, debates, mock trials, science experiments, etc.Students can be provided with remedial support or participate in enrichment activities More time to develop student/teacher relationships

8. “Chat Time” MediatorsConnects students to a caring and involved adult in the school Connects them to a group of their peers in a more personal mannerTeaches them necessary skills for their success in school and in the communityThe presence of an adult advocate who is personally connected to the student helps each individual student academically, emotionally, and socially.

9. Advisory Topics/ActivitiesCitizenship

10. Organization

11. Study skills

12. Current events

13. Peer relationships/Friendships

14. Drugs/Alcohol

15. Decision-making

16. Goal setting

17. Community service

18. Clean up trash around school (community service)