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INTRODUCTION
Sage Park Middle School is a student-centered
community that serves approximately 1,000 sixth, seventh
and eighth grade students. The mission of Sage Park Middle
School is to ensure that all students strive to reach
their intellectual, emotional and social potential. Our
purpose is to enable students to recognize and apply their
strengths in order to maximize their individual learning.
We provide a strong academic program emphasizing reading,
writing and mathematics as well as an integrated science
program, and a model "technology and people
program". We are also committed to world languages,
art and music. Sage Park is accredited by the New England
Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., a
non-governmental, nationally recognized organization.
WHAT MAKES A MIDDLE SCHOOL?
Middle school students are at a transitional period in
their lives accentuated by rapid growth and varied levels
of personal development. These early adolescent years are
a time of physical, emotional, intellectual and social
growth characterized by self-consciousness, restlessness
and anxiety. The developmental challenge of gaining
independence during this transitional period requires
understanding adults who provide an environment of
respect, structure, compassion and consistent discipline.
At Sage Park Middle School the
educational strategies are to challenge and encourage all
students to develop the critical thinking skills needed to
become self-motivated learners, effective communicators
and responsible citizens. We expect our students to be
productive, literate members of the 21st
century. The staff, programs and facilities of the school
provide an environment and resources to promote high
expectations in individual scholarship, character
development, physical well-being, creative expression,
problem solving, and an appreciation of individual and
cultural differences.
ORGANIZATION - HOUSES AND TEAMS
Sage Park is organized into three "houses"; each house
is comprised of a single grade, either 6th, a 7th
and an 8th grade. Each grade has three
individual teams. All of a student's
"team" subjects are with the same group of
teachers. Houses and teams provide for "a school
within a school" approach which creates a learning
environment that is personalized and supportive. Team
teachers work together to integrate curriculum, plan
projects, evaluate students regularly and communicate
frequently with parents. The guidance department supports
students with one counselor assigned to each of the three
grades.
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Sage Park provides a purposeful, relevant and
challenging program. All students are required to take
language arts, math, science, social studies, art,
developmental guidance, music, personal development,
physical education, and vocational courses. Language arts
for grades six and seven is a double time block each day.
Grade 6 students take reading with language arts.
Students may choose from four music
options - band, choir, strings or general music. Those
students who elect band or strings must currently play a
band or orchestra instrument.
Grade 7 students study French or
Spanish for one semester. Grade 8 students may elect a
full year of language study, continuing their grade 7
program.
Groupings in all academic subjects,
with the exception of mathematics, are heterogeneous and
are not based on ability.
All students participate in personal development, a curriculum designed to fulfill
the state mandates in health and safety education.
TAP (Technology and People) is an
activity-based curriculum, which allows students to
explore various technologies and discover how technology
relates to the individual and community.
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING SERVICES
Guidance counselors, social workers, school
psychologists, a speech and language clinicians, and nurses
work as a team to provide the support and direction that
enables students to succeed. These professionals take
referrals from teachers, parents or from students
themselves. In addition, a planning and placement team
identifies and plans for students in need of special
education services.
SAM (Student Assistant Model) is a team
of teachers, student services staff and house
administrator who meet regularly to identify and assist
students who are beginning to experience academic or
behavioral difficulties. Early intervention has been shown
to effectively address student difficulties.
Helping to provide a safe environment
for our students, the Partnership program features
classroom support aimed at reducing and preventing
violence in our school, a police officer on site and three
corridor monitors are also on site.
LIBRARY RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY
The Library Resources Center is a multimedia facility,
which provides books, periodicals, audiovisual materials,
and equipment. There are several lab areas in
addition to computers in all of our classrooms. Our goal is to
integrate technology with all curriculum areas in diverse
and exciting ways.
Click here to go to the Sage
Park Library Resource Center home page.
PARENTAL SUPPORT AND COMMUNICATION
Sage Park has an active Parent Teacher Student
Association (PTSA). Regular meetings are held to inform parents
about the school and programs.
Sage Park provides home contact
regularly through notices and newsletters. Parents are
also contacted as the need arises for academic and
disciplinary reasons. Parents are encouraged to contact
teachers or counselors. Working together we can provide
the best middle school experience for our children.
CHALLENGE RESOURCE
The Challenge Resource Program is
designed to meet the needs of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade
students with advanced abilities in math or
language arts through a pull-out
program. A broad range of enrichment experiences is also
provided for all students through various competitions,
after school enrichment clusters, and a variety of special
activities.
Click here to go to the Sage
Park Challenge homepage. |
