THE FOUR PILLARS OF AN EXEMPLARY MIDDLE SCHOOL
The structure of Rutland Middle School has been is based on research compiled by the Association for Middle Level Education. The four pillars of exemplary middle schools provide our organizational structure.
1. An Advisory model called Mentorship
Each student is placed in a multi-graded class grouping called CREW (Community, Respect, Energy, Wellbeing). Students have a CREW teacher and peers in grades 6,7, and 8.
Students meet their CREW teacher at the start of every day for approximately 20 minutes. The RMS CREW program is designed so that a teacher meets daily with a small group of students in the morning to provide connection to the school, provide information about upcoming school events, and contribute to positive culture at RMS.
2. Interdisciplinary Teaming, Planning and Teaching
Students are organized into ‘teams’ of two sections creating communities of learning. Each group of students shares a schedule and is taught by the team of teachers. Team teachers often co-plan, co-learn, and co-teach in order to provide innovative learning opportunities for students.
3. Flexible Block Scheduling
Most of the timetable for each teaching team is flexible. Teachers have the freedom to decide when each discipline is taught as long as the outcomes for each course are addressed and mastered. Only Physical Health Education and Exploratory classes are scheduled for them.
4. Exploratories
All students in a team receive the same exploratory classes. Each student participates in four ten week long Exploratories which may include Technology Education, Music, Art, and Foods. Exploratory classes provide opportunities for adolescent students to try different skills and vocations before choosing a specialty at the high school level.
Our shared vision, as a community, is that all Rutland Middle School students will be engaged socially, conventionally, and intellectually in acquiring the attributes of a SD23 learner: thinker, learner, collaborator, contributor, and innovator, for future success as a secondary student and community member.