0.5 Middle school master schedule  (Page 2/3)

Outcomes: indicators of the quality of the school

There are numerous methods used to measure student progress. Each nine weeks students are given benchmark tests in preparation for the Standards of Learning (SOL) tests given at the end of the year by the state of Virginia. Some students also qualify for alternative assessments, such as the Virginia Grade Level Assessment (VGLA), an alternative assessment comparable to the SOL. Students with significant cognitive disabilities participate through the Virginia Alternate Assessment Program (VAAP).

Physical plant

Blue Ridge Middle School's building is 14 years old. It was renovated in 2001/2002. Upon entering the school it looks clean and organized. As of right now there are no new plans to renovate. The building is the perfect size for the student body. It also accommodates students, staff, and parents with disabilities through handicap parking, ramps, and elevators. Blue Ridge Middle School is unique in that it is situated near the elementary school and is physically connected to the high school. This creates a safe and organized atmosphere for the students. Technology is the way of the future; this is seen at Blue Ridge Middle School. All classrooms have telephones, active boards, elmos, and a DVD/TV combination mounted to the wall. The teachers can also take students to one of the two computer labs or check out a laptop cart. Each grade level has two carts.

Some other areas of the school are the gym, cafeteria, and special instruction areas. The school also has both an auxiliary and a main gym. The gym has good equipment and a climbing wall for the students. The cafeteria is spacious and overlooks the mountains. Some extra instructional spaces in the school include a life skills kitchen, a sensory room, a technologies and robotics classroom, a library, science labs in the classrooms, a band room, and an art room.

Organizational and instructional priorities within the schedule

The school day is from 7:50 AM to 3:00 PM. Students are organized into two teams of approximately 100 students per grade level with four core teachers on each team. The exception would be the 6th grade, they will have 5 core teachers per team to account for a mandatory, double block (or two periods of) English. The students have 30 minutes for lunch and 1 period for physical education/health. Each of the seven periods is 50 minutes. Students can chose from regular or advanced courses in each of their four core areas. All grades also have an optional remedial Math or English class. This elective becomes a remediation class if the students failed the SOL assessment the previous year or are performing below grade level. Algebra and Geometry are offered to 7th and 8th graders.

The students also have a wide range of electives to choose from. All students are able to take choir and band each year. In 6th grade the students have the option of taking an exploratory rotation which consists of art, technology, and world cultures. In 7th and 8th grade additional electives include: foreign language (Spanish, French, Latin), art, theater arts, study hall, keyboarding, journalism, and photography. There are also exploration classes in each of the core subjects which serve as remediation and enrichment periods.