Meridian
Joint
School
District
No. 2
Mission
Statement
Preparing
today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges.
Middle School Philosophy
The
Meridian
School District
subscribes to a philosophy that the unique needs of students in grades 6
through 8 can best be met in a middle school setting that provides a
student-centered program and recognizes that the students of this age are
undergoing greater physiological, psychological, and social re-orientation
than at any other period in their lives.
The overall purpose of the middle school should be to
meet the educational, developmental, and social needs that emerge in this
transitional period. The
middle school program should provide a supportive and flexible environment
so students will have opportunities to develop skills and explore a
variety of learning experiences while making the transition from
elementary to high school.
In keeping with this philosophy, the middle school will establish and
provide:
·
A core curriculum of language arts, math, science, and
social studies.
·
Exploratory programs and activities in all areas of the
curriculum to help students discover and extend their interests and
abilities.
·
An extensive advisory and counseling program.
·
A supportive environment for the physical and social
development of every student.
·
A gradual transition in programs from the self-contained
classroom of the 5th grade to the departmentalized structure of
the high school.
·
An intramural and activity-oriented program to accommodate
the needs of the early adolescent.
·
A positive climate that fosters self-esteem,
self-discipline, and student responsibility.
·
Knowledgeable educators who are committed to the middle
school design.
·
An ongoing program of training and professional skills that
are based on the characteristics and needs of the adolescent.
·
Close contact and communication between parents and school.
·
A challenging curriculum and pace of learning to meet
individual levels and understanding.
·
Opportunities for intervention and acceleration when needs
are identified.
It is believed that these
goals will be reached when the student, the parent, and the teacher assume
responsibility. The student
will attend school regularly, maintain a positive attitude, and make an
effort to achieve these goals. Parents
will be supportive of the school system and encourage the student in
learning. The teacher will
strive for an optimal, professional approach to meet the individual needs
of each student. When these
responsibilities are met, maximum learning will be achieved.