Highlights of Exemplary Practices Aligned with the 18 Characteristics of Successful Middle Schools

1. Culture and Community:

Unity School is a family in many ways and that is felt from the moment you step onto our campus.

Parents, students, faculty and staff all work together to create an environment for learning, for relationships to grow, and to continue supporting each other. We have a strong CommUNITY Group program (advisory program) where relationships are nurtured and strengthened between students and faculty. Teachers are readily available to support students during CommUNITY Group meetings and before or after school. The school counselor and middle school director work very closely with not only students but parents and faculty to keep

lines of communication open. We have instituted the Random Acts of Kindness curriculum for several years (we are a Certified Kindness School through the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation) which has proven to help shape the dynamics in the middle school. Many opportunities for professional development and parent workshops are offered to support the school community. Student workshops are also offered to educate on a variety of topics. We begin each day with the Pledge to the Flag and a Unity Peace Prayer.

All members of the community on campus pause to start their day with this prayer and take a moment to breathe and set their intentions for the day. We also have times built into the day for meditation (Heart Math/Heart Lock-in) so students can self regulate.

This happens from our littlest students to the oldest. We also have Safe Spaces/Peace Corners in every classroom where students can go if they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

All of these are intentional ways we cultivate a loving, family culture and community.

2. Empowering Students:

Unity School is very intentional about giving students opportunities to feel empowered.

One way we do this is by requiring community service hours for each grade (6th - 10 hours; 7th - 15 hours; 8th - 20 hours). Students can choose from opportunities provided in our weekly communication (our Weekly FYI goes to both parents and students for planning purposes) and often even create their own opportunities.

Through our curriculum, project based learning opportunities as well as Academic Showcases allow students to have a voice and choice in their learning.

Teachers give students choice in process, iteration and assessment which adds to deeper knowledge retention. This Universal Design Learning has been studied by faculty for the last few years. In addition, our extensive electives program is varied and ever changing.

Students get to choose two electives each trimester (music, art, theater, technology, writing,TV production, physical education etc...) . There are also opportunities for students to “pitch” their elective ideas to administration to create new electives. Our “Golden Horseshoe” is another opportunity for students to be leaders and feel empowered.

Faculty, staff and students are always “catching” students being kind and living up to Unity School expectations of how to treat others. Students let the MS Director know who went above and beyond and how.

That student gets an email (shared with parents as well) congratulating them, then a shout out in the FYI at the end of each month, and finally an award is given at the end of the year for the middle school student who earns the most Golden Horseshoes. There are many other ways that students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and positively impact their community.

3. Leadership and Organization:

Unity School focuses on a collaborative, student centered environment at the leadership level. Having a mission and vision that we all believe in drives all decisions for students and the school. Teachers are given opportunities each week to meet with co-teachers and other subject area colleagues to discuss curriculum, cross curricular project ideas, Academic Showcase and other important ideas. Teachers also meet weekly to discuss student issues, logistics of events and to celebrate accomplishments. Having this common planning time helps to motivate teachers to think outside the box and collaborate on high level learning. Having two teachers as advisors for the CommUNITY Group allows collaboration on topics to discuss as well as allowing students to have two trusted adults. Using a student Data Wall has allowed teachers to recognize students who are having a successful adult-student relationship and which students are lacking that trusted contact. This informs how teachers interact with those students allowing for growth in culture. The administration team has a strong commitment to best practices, an open mind and heart to allow teachers to do what they do best, and the experience to manage relationships among all, including parents. The admin team is always striving to improve and form stronger, more meaningful relationships among students, staff, and families.