Highlights of Exemplary Practices Aligned with the 18 Characteristics of Successful Middle Schools
Characteristic 8: Educators are specifically prepared to teach young adolescents and possess a depth of understanding in the content areas they teach.
The AGMS staff are all about finding the most authentic and effective ways to teach students.
First and foremost this comes from an understanding that relationships are the foundation of a successful middle school program.
Whether its certified or classified, our teachers pour their hearts into the work they do every day for our students.
Characteristic 15: Leaders are committed to and knowledgeable about young adolescents, equitable practices, and educational research
Our school practices collaborative leadership in ways that allow every member of the team to play a role in ensuring our school and students are successful.
In the last 4 years, we have instituted grade-level team leads, completed multiple professional book studies, and started a daily Advisory program.
While these activities and programs are guided by school administration, they are often led by teachers and other staff in the building.
Through collaborative leadership, our teams have transitioned AGMS into an exemplary middle school model.
Characteristic 11: Instruction fosters learning that is active, purposeful, and democratic.
AGMS teachers work with our community at large to provide our students with both rigorous core academics and the ability to explore multiple career pathways while in middle school.
Our school has a full-time JAG teacher whose primary job is to expose our students to career exploration through a well-established curriculum.
AGMS also hosts career days each year, where members of the community come to the school and share their occupations and talents.
Another component of our programming is community service.
Our middle school students provide community service at local assisted living centers, food banks, clothing donation centers, city parks, and more.
These days help equip our students to become members of the broader community through civic action.