Middle School

 STAFF  Female 49  Male 51  African American 33  Asian/Pac. Islander 4  Gender  Ethnicity  Hispanic 37  American Indian 0  White 27  5 or less 61  Years of Experience  6 to 10 8  11 or more 31  Regular 31 Compensatory Ed. 0 Gifted/Talented 43 Special Education 18 Average Experience 9 yrs. Teacher by Program Other 6 % Master's 27 Advanced Degrees Doctorate 4 Counselors 0 Assistant Principals 2 Other Professional Staff 4 Educational Aides 4

At the heart of the Continuum is the Learner Profile. The McReynolds programme aims to help students develop as lifelong learners in the context of the Learner Profile.Learner Profile

Ada Merritt K-8 Center

 Intercultural Awareness  Communication  Holistic Education with a Focus on Global Issues

FIVE AREAS OF INTERACTION  They provide a framework for learning within and across the subject groups.  They allow connections among the subjects themselves, and between the subjects and real-life issues. Characteristics of the McReynolds’ Program

The 5 Areas of Interaction:  Approaches to Learning  Community & Service  Environments  Health & Social Education  Human Ingenuity MYP AREAS OF INTERACTION

 Develop effective study skills  Develop critical, coherent, and independent thought  Learn problem solving and decision making skills  Become life-long learners  Nurture academic honestyacademic honesty

Ada Merritt K-8 Center

 Expand focus beyond the classroom  Develop responsibility & caring participation in the local & global community  Have Community Service requirementsCommunity Service requirements

 Become better informed about life issues  Develop a sense of responsibility for their own well-being  Make informed choices  Become aware of related issues & their effects on communities

 Study impact of human inventions and creativity  Use personal resources to improve quality of life

 Become aware of interdependency with the environments  Take positive responsible action for the future  Accept responsibility for environmental maintenance  Reflect on actions and their impact

Ada Merritt K-8 Center

 McReynolds’ provides a framework of academic challenge and life skills for middle school students. It engages them in a thorough study of eight disciplines viewed through the lenses of five areas of interaction  All students:  take annual courses in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language A (Language Arts), Language B (Spanish or Portuguese), Humanities in language A and B  take semester courses in Approaches to Learning (ATL), Technology, Physical Education and Fine arts.  Follow a 4X4 block schedule alternating between periods on A day 1,2,3,4,5 and odd periods 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 on B day  They will have the opportunity to earn High School credits in math, science, and language.

 All Middle School students take advanced mathematics courses:  Advanced mathematics in grades 6 and 7  Algebra 1 in grade 8  Students who excel in mathematics have the opportunity to participate in an accelerated mathematics program, taking Algebra 1 in grade 7 and geometry in grade 8. Criteria for admission into the accelerated track:  FCAT scores of 5 in mathematics  Teacher recommendation  70% or higher on the placement or baseline test  Strong work ethics  Good grades in all subjects

 Students with an advanced level of fluency in Spanish have the opportunity to participate in the Program in the MP by taking advanced level Spanish classes:  Spanish, language B: Spanish Language & Literature for International Studies 1 and 2 in grades 6 and 7 Advanced Placement Spanish class in grade 8  Spanish Humanities: Spanish Humanities for International Studies 1, 2, 3 in grades 6-8.

 Previous participation in the IS program at the elementary level  Satisfactory grades in core courses  Teacher recommendation  A score of 80% or higher on the Spanish Placement Test

 Utilization of tools to solve problems, research and produce  Subject Area in IB  Three branches  Information  Materials  Systems

Investigate Create a Product/Solution Plan Evaluate Design Cycle

 Invention Convention in grade 6  Science Fair in grade 7  Culminating Project in grade 8

Students:  Collect samples of their work in each Area of Interaction  Write a reflection form for each entry  Accumulate work samples from 6 th –8 th grades  Prepare for High School McReynolds 6-8 Center Student Portfolio

Eligible students may participate in a variety of clubs:  Student Council  NJHS (National Junior Honor Society)  Mentoring  Music  Art  Environment  Mathematics  Geography  Creative Writing

 Maintain grades of C or higher in all subjects and in conduct  Maintain acceptable effort grades  Follow the schools attendance, punctuality, uniform and behavior guidelines  Complete home learning assignments regularly and use the student agenda  Complete the required Community and Service hours:  10 hours in 6 th and 7 th grade  20 hours in 8 th grade  Maintain a portfolio  Complete the 8 th grade Culminating Project

 Become independent and responsible  Acquire and maintain good study habits  More subjects  Home learning in all subjects  Mid term and year end exams  Block schedule  Age related challenges

 Making sure the child is attending school regularly and on time  Monitoring the child’s progress through the student agenda, the Grade Book Parent Viewer and communication with the school  Ensuring that students meet the expectations of the Parent/Student Honor Code  Reading, watching or listening to national and international news and discussing their impact  Asking students open-ended questions to allow them to define and express their opinions  Encouraging and assisting your child in becoming more involved in community service and school activities  Visit the school’s website for additional current information: MYP SectionMYP Section