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Prairie
Middle School is a school
of 1559 students in grades six
through eight with a mobility rate of almost 30%. Located
in Aurora, it faces tremendous challenges given its large and
diverse population. Approximately 55% of the students qualify for
free or reduced lunch. Over 57 different languages are spoken and
76 countries represented by their students. Prairie has created an
environment that maximized academic growth and respect for all.
They provide a wide range of opportunities to meet the needs of
all students and ensure a high level of challenge while emphasizing
academic achievement, cultural diversity, state and district standard
implementation, College Board Standards, instructional excellence, and
integration of technology. Prairie Middle School is a National AVID demonstration site. Dr. Kandy Cassaday leads the faculty at
Prairie.
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2007 Winner
2010 Redesignated Mead Middle School Mead |
Mead Middle School, located in Mead, Colorado is part of the St. Vrain
School District and enrolls 321 students in grades 6-8. It has a
free and reduced population of 11% and was noted by the Colorado
Department of Education as making significant achievement gains in the
22008-2009 school year. Mead Middle School boasts a high level of
student involvement where 95% of their students participate in
extra-curricular activities. A highly active parent community
supports the school by volunteering thousands of hours annually.
Literacy permeates the building as noted by a successful
Accelerated Reader program that creates incentives for student reading
- students read on average 20 books each per year at Mead Middle
School. A standards-based report grading system helps teachers
keep track of student progress in essential learning goals.
Students have multiple opportunities to achieve mastery, and
staff works diligently to ensure individual student success. Josh Barnett leads the staff at Mead Middle School.
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Russell Middle School, located in Colorado Springs, is a school serving 814 students in grades six through eight. The staff faces distinct challenges with 38% of its families living below the poverty level but through rigorous reflection and creation of a comprehensive academic interventions, this school has seen significant student achievement across the board. Just last year Russell Middle moved from an Average to a High designation on the Colorado School Accountability Report card. Russell showcases a dynamic learning environment where each member of the staff has a strong understanding of what students know and are able to do. They have created a well structured system to monitor the progress of each individual student, apply research-based interventions, and work collegially to address student learning needs. Russell has also successfully implemented the elements of Positive Behavior Support mechanisms which has motivated their students and staff to achieve. The staff of Russell is led by Julie Williams. |
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Bookcliff Middle School enrolls 502 students in grades 6-8 in Grand Junction, Mesa County Valley School District #51. It has a free and reduced population of 53%, and has a 30% mobility rate. Bookcliff's schoolwide reform efforts have resulted in increased student achievement recognition by the Colorado Department of improving status. Their faculty engages in regularly embedded, teacher-led, inquiry-based professional learning centered on student learning, assessment literacy, and research-based instructional strategies. The school has developed unique scheduling to provide time for these embedded learning opportunities as well as flexible time for targeted academic interventions, community service activities, and project-based learning initiatives. Bookcliff has developed a strong parent support system and has worked diligently to create a welcoming and positive learning environment. Their staff is led by their principal, Cathy Drake. |
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2006 Winner & 2009 Redesignated Holmes Middle School Colorado Springs |
Holmes Middle School enrolls 748 students in grades 6-8 in Colorado Springs, District 11. It has a free and reduced population of 34%, and 80% of their total student population is proficient or advanced on Reading CSAPs. Their data-driven faculty maintains a student data folder for each student. Students create their own learning goals and monitor their own progress throughout the school year. Quarterly common assessments help students and staff focus in on specific learning targets. A comprehensive pyramid of interventions provides a continuum of services that ensure that every child finds success. Holmes has successfully implemented a Response to Intervention model to support their special education and regular education population. Holmes has maintained their high degree of excellence for several years. Their students academic growth exceeds other schools of similar demographics. The Colorado Department of Education rates Holmes as Excellent and High Growth. A "can do" attitude permeates the school, and this is always modeled by their principal, Rob Utter. |
| 2005
Winner & 2008 Redesignated Conrad Ball Middle School Loveland |
Conrad Ball Middle School is a school 659 students in grades six through eight. Located in Loveland, it serves the city's most diverse population. Approximately 40% of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch and 10% are English Language Learners. Conrad Ball has seen a dramatic drop in disciplinary referrals and a significant increase in achievement scores. Critical thinking strategies, data-driven instruction, and character education are their school's three main goals. Conrad Ball has created a powerful staff development structure where teachers work in professional learning communities attending to their own action research questions. Teachers employ high quality instuction and support 21st Century Learning through the focus on problem-solving, collaboration, questioning, inquiry, and goal setting. Conrad Ball has created an in-house lab classroom program where peer observations provide opportunities for reflection and collaboration. Scott Elias leads the staff at Conrad Ball. |
| 2005 Programs to Watch Angevine Middle School Lafayette |
Angevine Middle School is a neighborhood school in Lafayette. They serve 616 students in grades six, seven and eight by offering a challenging and rigorous academic curriculum that is supported comprehensively throughout the school. Angevine was selected as a "Programs to Watch" school for its creative and effective approach to meeting the literacy and math needs of its most at risk students. Faced with the challenge of a large English as a Second Language population which serves between 15 and 20 percent of the student body and other students at risk, Angevine has succeeded in gathering resources and organizing a program that is worthy of replication. Mike Medina leads the staff at Angevine. |
| 2009 Winner La Junta Middle School La Junta |
La Junta Middle School, located in La Junta, Colorado serves 291 students in grades 6-8 in the East Otero
School District. It has a free and reduced
population of 65%, and a mobility rate of approximately 24%. La Junta's
comprehensive
schoolwide reform efforts have resulted in increased student
achievement as acknowledged by the Colorado Department of Education. La
Junta students learn at a high rate of growth, especially when compared
to other schools of their size and demographics. The La Junta
faculty engages in job-embedded, inquiry-based
professional learning centered on student achievement, curriculum
alignment, and high-yield instructional strategies.
Targeted interventions in math, reading, and behavior support student
success. The school employs a highly trained staff that is able to
effectively differentiate for a wide range of student needs. They
employ active, hands-on learning strategies to stimulate academic
advancement. La Junta has a postive culture and climate where
everyone works together to make a difference for kids each and every
day. Principal Paul Jebe leads the staff at La Junta.
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| 2004
Winner & 2007 Redesignated Casey Middle School Boulder |
Casey Middle School is a school of 321 students in grades six through eight. They face unique challenges with 65% of its student population being second language learners and over half of its families living below the poverty level. Small class sizes coupled with powerful support structures help the school meet individual needs with ease. The school’s diversity is reflected in the faces of many of its staff members, with a significant number of staff being fluent Spanish speakers. Standardized scores from the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) reveal significant progress in student achievement while addressing increasing challenges. Notable programs include a bilingual immersion program for both English and Spanish speaking students, collaborative staff development, community outreach programs (after school activities, a community liaison, bilingual parent meetings and publications), and partnerships with the University of Colorado. The staff of Casey is led by Alison Boggs. |