Madrona Middle School

MADRONA MIDDLE SCHOOL CORE MISSION AND VISION

Madrona’s Mission Statement answers the question “why do we exist?” It serves as the vital lifeblood of the school's daily activities and policies. Madrona Middle Schools Mission is fundamental to every decision made at every level expressing our schools essential reason for educating. Madrona's Mission is our guiding principal. We strive toward, but never actually fullfill our mission because as the world continues to change and evolve, our students' needs will change, and we will develop new ways to respond. Madrona Middle School's vision statement is as follows:

“Madrona Middle School will create and maintain a safe and structured environment to ensure every student of the school community progresses to a higher level of achievement as determined by multiple measures. Madrona Middle School commits to a comprehensive system of student support to assure this outcome.”

Madrona Middle School’s vision statement paints a picture of what we can become, and guides our behaviors on both long-term and short-term basis to offer a realistic alternative for a better future. It says, “This is what we want to be.” Just as our own vision guides the personal or professional course we follow, Madrona Middle School’s vision guides the collective direction of its stakeholders, provides a compelling sense of where the school is headed and, in broad terms, what must be accomplished in the future to fulfill the school’s purpose. Every decision made, every program implemented, every policy instituted, and all goals align with this vision. our vision explains where Madrona is headed. We regularly collaborate to develop a clear, shared vision of the school characteristics that we believe are essential to accomplishing this mission and vision. Our continued improvement and ultimate success will depend on the extent to which each of us fulfills our respective professional responsibilities in regards to reaching this end. The following vision statement describes the standards that we strive to achieve with regard to the following five core categories:

Differentiated Instruction of General Curriculum
Research-Based Intervention Programs
Student Centered Enrichment Opportunities
Collaborative Collegiality
Community Outreach and Input

Differentiated Instruction of General Curriculum

Madrona Middle School provides a core curriculum that can be enriched, extended, or differentiated to meet the individual learning needs of students. The curriculum is designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity and develop the critical thinking skills. We clearly identify what students will know and the criterion for subject mastery. The scope and sequence of the curriculum reflects a continuum of learning opportunities that challenge all students. Teachers consistently integrate technology in lessons and activities to increase student motivation, prepare students for long term success, and increase student mastery of curricula. We design plans which build on students’ backgrounds and needs. We set short and long-term challenging goals. These plans and activities are modified as needed based on multiple forms of formal and informal assessment.

develop critical thinking skills to promote the understanding of complex concepts
clearly establish the criterion for subject mastery
stimulate intellectual curiosity by building on student’s backgrounds and needs
integrate technology to increase student mastery and motivation
design activities and assessments that are differentiated to address individual needs

Research Based Intervention Programs

Madrona collects information from multiple sources about student learning and uses a wide range of assessment strategies to understand progress. Ongoing student reflection, self-assessment, and research based curricula are integrated into the learning process. We use a standardized pyramid of interventions to assist students who are not successful. In Tier I, students receive accommodations within their regular education classes. In Tier II, we use the SST process and/or multiple measures to identify students who need intervention classes to give them assistance in: homework, writing, reading comprehension, decoding and fluency, math computation and concepts, English language development, study skills and motivation. In Tier III, students are recommended to be assessed due to the lack of student success.

establish learning goals which meet district and state expectations
use a wide range of appropriate assessment strategies to understand student progress
student reflection and self-assessment are integrated into the learning process
uses a standardized pyramid of interventions to assist students who are not successful
use the SST process to implement strategies for student success

Student Centered Enrichment Opportunities

Madrona recognizes the essential value of learning outside of the core standards-based curriculum and commits to providing all students with continuing opportunities to explore various enriching disciplines. We work to provide students with classes within the instructional day which take advantage both of teacher knowledge and student talents such as: Drama, Music, both choral and instrumental, Life Management and Industrial Arts, Cross Country, Leadership skills, Visual Arts, Computer Technology, and Foreign Languages. We promote active student participation in all co-curricular and extra-curricular programs. We recognize the potential of these programs to enhance the health and fitness of young adolescents, improve academic performance, and build positive links between the school, families, and the local community.

value opportunities for learning outside of the core standards-based curriculum
provides students with opportunities to explore various enriching disciplines
Drama, Music, Life Management, Industrial Arts, Leadership, Visual Arts, Foreign Languages, and Technology
promotes active student participation in co-curricular programs for all students
enhance the health and fitness of young adolescents

Collaborative Collegiality

Madrona is organized to promote meaningful professional collaboration with a focus on learning. We develop and implement a wide array of strategies, selecting instructional best practices on the basis of objective results, reflection on practice in relation to student learning and instructional goals, and assessed growth over time. Teachers view researched-based innovation and lesson design experimentation as essential aspects of their profession. Technology is integrated into the instructional process as a means to achieve specific curricular outcomes. All faculty members engage in professional development by promoting the value of teaming, engaging in professional dialogue and reflection with colleagues, collaborating with staff to meet students’ needs, and contributing to school-wide and district-wide decision making, events, and professional development. Teams, who work with a common grouping of students and/or curriculums, are united by a shared purpose. Teams know one another well, feel safe and supported, and are encouraged to take intellectual risks. We place a priority on protecting instructional and collaborative planning time, maintaining reasonable class size, and providing supportive student services during the regular school day.

promote meaningful professional collaboration with a focus on student learning through professional dialogue and reflection with colleagues
implement a wide array of strategies with a commitment to continuous improvement
best practices are determined on the basis of objective results, reflection in relation to learning and goals, and assessment of growth over time
technology is integrated into the instructional process
collaborate with staff to meet students’ needs and contribute to school-wide and district-wide decision making

Community Outreach and Input

Madrona supports, promotes, and develops a collaborative relationship between Madrona and our business partner, Ball Corporation. We use these resources and relationships to provide students with experiences that support their learning. We maintain ongoing positive interactions with families and our PTSA, and provide multiple opportunities for meaningful participation. We include the community in the exchange of information about student learning so that all factors affecting student success can be addressed. Parents, community, staff and students work together to provide students with time, support, and encouragement. Channels for open two-way communication are clearly identified. Parents have continuous access to information through Parent Connect, eTUSD, TeleParent, email, SSC, conferences, phone calls, ELMAC, PTSA. The contributions and accomplishments of all members of the community are recognized and celebrated.

develop, promote, and work collaboratively with our business partner Ball Corp.
promote collaboration through open two-way communication
Parent Connect, eTUSD, TeleParent, email, conferences, phone calls, SSC, ELMAC, PTSA
contributions and accomplishments of all members of the community are recognized
provides opportunities for participation of families in the classroom or community