DuBois Area Middle School“A School To Watch”

A little bit about us…

• Located in DuBois, Pennsylvania

• Intermediate Unit #6• Encompassing 255 square

miles of rural west-central Pennsylvania (parts of Clearfield and Jefferson Counties)

• 8 elementary “feeder” schools• Low income (37-40% of

students receive free or reduced lunch)

We Believe…• All students should be challenged at their ability

level in all core subjects• All students have the ability to be successful in

all subject areas with the appropriate supports• All students have the ability to recognize and

model good character • All students have the right to a safe and secure

learning environment• Failure is not an option

Current Enrollment

• Grade 6 332• Grade 7 362• Grade 8 360• Total 1055

Faculty and Staff

• Administration 2• Guidance 3• Teachers 77• Support Staff 26• School Resource Officer 1

School Wide Improvement PlanPhase 1

• Peer Coach• Uniform Instruction• Standardized Testing• Support with Writing Instruction• Additional Math Instruction for

Students with Low Math Scores• Increase Parent/School Involvement• Encourage Teacher Involvement

in the Curriculum

Phase 2• Layered Curriculum/I.L.P.

(Individual Learning Plan)• Differentiate the Instruction• Increase Parent Conferences• Do Walk-Through Observations• Mandatory Summer Reading Program

Phase 3• A + Software• Technology Carts• Adviser-Advisee

What makes us a School To Watch?

• Academic Excellence

• Developmental Responsiveness

• Social Equity• Organizational

Structure and Processes

Academic Excellence

• True Middle School Concept– Teams (3 per grade each with around 120

students and all courses offered)– Layered Curriculum (advanced, academic,

and basic offered on each team)– Individual Learning Plans for all students

(students may have courses from all levels depending on strengths and areas of need)

– Enrichment and Remediation (math/reading labs, online courses, summer school, academic intervention, tutoring, morning math)

– Data driven decision making and programs– Failure is not an option!

Layered Curriculum

Pre-Algebra

English Science Social

Studies

Reading

710 ACCEL. 701 ADV. 731 ADV. 721 ADV. 760 ADV.

711 ADV. 702 ACAD. 732 ACAD. 722 ACAD. 761 ACAD.

712 ACAD. 703 BASIC 733 BASIC 723 BASIC 762 BASIC

713 BASIC

7th Grade

We are data driven!

• Value Added Assessment

• Pennsylvania State System of Assessment

• 4Sight

• Otis-Lennon School Ability Test

• Orleans-Hanna Algebra Prognosis Test

• 9 Weeks Unit Tests

8th Grade PSSA Reading

Year %A&P Adv. Prof. Basic Below

01-02 57.8 17.1 40.7 20.2 22.0

02-03 64.5 24.1 40.0 20.6 15.0

03-04 75.1 38.1 37.6 13.0 11.4

04-05 65.0 30.0 35.0 15.0 20.0

05-06 76.0 44.0 32.0 14.0 10.0

8th Grade PSSA Math

Year %A&P Adv. Prof. Basic Below

01-02 56.4 16.0 40.4 22.6 21.0

02-03 56.6 22.8 33.8 22.3 21.1

03-04 68.0 29.9 38.1 20.4 11.6

04-05 65.0 38.0 27.0 18.0 16.0

05-06 72.0 38.0 34.0 16.0 12.0

Sample of Grade 7 Reading Unit Test Results

Developmental Responsiveness

• Alternative & Special Education– SIMBA (Students Involved in Meaningful and Beneficial

Activities)• 6 objectives (improve academic/school experience, develop

leadership skills, explore career/vocational options, develop a sense of personal and social responsibility, develop healthy lifelong recreational activities)

• At risk students work on personal goals • Hands on education in a small group setting• Community service, volunteer work, and group counseling

– Cyber School (District owned & operated)– Homebound Education– Emotional Support– Learning Support – Life Skills

Developmental ResponsivenessWe support our students!

We offer a variety of counseling services:

– Grade Level Guidance Counselors– Student Assistance Program– School Based Therapy– School Based Partial Hospitalization

Program

Career EducationGrade level curriculums that follow American School Counselor Association’s Career Standards

Grade 6BUS DayVideo “What would I be good at?”The Career Game Jeff Tech Trip

Grade 7BUS DayCareer TargetsCOIN Jr. SoftwareIndiana University of Pennsylvania Trip

Grade 8BUS DayPennsylvania State University Classroom visitsCareer Link InterviewsCareer DayJob ShadowingVolunteer Positions (must apply and maintain C or higher average)Teen Med Club

Developmental Responsiveness Continued

• Character Education– Character Counts!

School wide in-service of ALL faculty and staff regarding the 6 Pillars of Character

– Advisor-Advisee ProgramRevamped to follow the 6 Pillars of CharacterDon’t Laugh At Me ProgramMonthly meeting focuses on 1 of the pillars72 groups run by faculty members15 students per group 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students togetherStudents keep same advisor throughout time at middle school

– The Character Crew10 students who develop skits, school wide activities, and AAP ideas

Social Equity

• Project S.U.C.C.E.S.S. (Schools United in Clearfield County Empowering Students to Succeed) After school and summer program through grant from Cen-Clear Child ServicesCurrent enrollment of 76 with about 50 attending dailyAcademic support, group/team activities, afternoon snack, recreational trips

• Academic Intervention2 Teachers in the library Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday 2:55 p.m. - 4:55 p.m. for homework help, tutoring, studying assistance, etc.Teacher, parent, guidance, or self referral

• Activity BusDistrict sponsored buses to take kids home after programs, practice, detention, etc

• Clothing ClosetClean clothing in good condition kept on hand for emergencies big or small, donated by faculty/staff/parents

Social Equity in Activities

• Student Activities– Student Council (4 officers plus 2 representatives per

homeroom; 104 members )– National Junior Honor Society (35 members)– Band (100 members)

Jazz Band (20 members)Summer Instrumental Lessons (20 members)

– Chorus (263 members)Select Choir (40 members)

– School Play (90 students)– Talent Show (175 students)– WMSK (student operated closed circuit television

station with 25 members)

Social Equity in Sports

Interscholastic Sports and Number of Students• Football 48• Boys Basketball 35• Girls Basketball 36• Boys Soccer 19• Girls Soccer 16• Boys Track 26• Girls Track 44• Girls Volleyball 42• Wrestling 27

Total 293

Social Equity Continued

• Cultural Awareness– Cinco de Mayo– Cross-Curricular Unit on diversity

• Student Recognition– Nice Kid Awards– Students of the Week– Perfect Attendance Award

• Volunteer Work– Students and Staff raise money for various causes

year round through bake sales, etc. and also assist Make-A-Wish, Red Cross, and March of Dimes

Educational Technology

– Lettergrade – Communication Lab– Power Technology Lab– 3 Computer Labs– WMSK– Tech Carts– Interactive White Boards– Max Books Cart– Laptop Carts– Channel 1

– Plato– United Streaming– Student Accounts– Marco Polo– Link to Learn– T1 Lines– Satellite Receiver– Wireless Network– Destiny– Student Identification

Cards

Organizational Structure and Process

• Professional Development– Attend state and national conferences

– 7 in-service days per year

– Response Ability Pathways Training

– Life Space Crisis Intervention Training

– Student Assistance Program Training

• Communication– Phone calls to every family

– Parent Conferences 300+ per year

– Open house, Lettergrade, newsletters, and distribution lists (e-mail)

• Department and Team Meetings– Teams meet Monday through Thursday from 2:50 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

– Departments meet Fridays from 2:50 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Discipline Decrease

Out of School In School DetentionSuspension Suspension

2003-2004 279 12 4842005-2006 137 52 2342006-2007 39 12 148

Come See Us!

DuBois Area Middle School

404 Liberty Blvd.

DuBois, Pa 15801

http://www.dasd.k12.pa.us

Phone (814) 375-8770

Fax (814) 375-8775