GRDCMiddle School

Information Night 2014-15

Rigor and Relevance• GRDC offers an integrated, Common Core curriculum

that has been designed by our teachers• Our students continually outperform their peers on

standardized tests:    – GRDC middle school students have always

outperformed all other SJUSD middle school students– GRDC has the highest percentage of advanced and

proficient middle school students in SJUSD• GRDC classes have honors-level expectations for ALL

students and reflect the rigor of the Honors program

Rigor and Relevance• Upon completion of GRDC’s middle school program,

students enroll and excel in AP, Honors, and IB classes, as well earn acceptance into private high schools

• GATE students are challenged via Individual Learning Plans that are tailored to their specific needs

• Hands-on science classes emphasize discovery-based concept mastery as well as content knowledge

• Project based learning, experiential education opportunities, and Internship program experiences teach real-life skills

API Comparison

Non-Weighted 3-Year Average API GRDC WCMS ACMS

2014 923 853 854

• Highest K-8 API in SJUSD • Top 15 API for K-8 Schools in the State

Relationships

• Our middle school model emphasizes peer learning that promotes leadership, teamwork and high-level independent thinking

• Our unique learning environment allows our teaching staff to know each and every student, his or her learning style, educational goals, and learning needs

• We foster an atmosphere where the teachers know all of their students and connect with them on a daily basis

The Power of Community

"If your child is known by every single teacher in the building, if you have a relationship of nine years' duration, if you have that kind of focus and intensity, is that not better than when your children are sent to a more distant school with larger numbers?”

~ GRDC Philosophy

Characteristics of Successful Schools

National Middle School Association’s This We Believe: Keys to Educating Young Adolescents (2010), organizes the 16 research-based characteristics of effective middle grades education into three areas that are critical to preparing students for the future:

• Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment• Leadership and Organization• Culture and Community

GRDC K-8 Initiatives

• Focus on:– Comprehensive Balanced Literacy– Writer’s Workshop– Project Based Learning– 21st Century Skills– Technology - One to One Computing– Hands on Science

• Strategic Plan • Strong relationship with PTO

Middle School Master ScheduleTeacher 1 Teacher 2 Teacher 3 Teacher 4 Teacher 5 Teacher 6 Teacher 7 Teacher 8 Internship

6th Grade ELA/Hist

6th Grade Math/Science

6th/7th Grade ELA/Hist

7th Grade ELA/Hist

7th Grade Math/Science

6/7th Grade Math Science

8th Grade ELA/Hist

8th Grade Math/Sci

Period 1 Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom Homeroom

Period 2 ELA 6

CCSS 6th Grade Math

Prep: PE/ART/Music

Study Hall/Library

Prep: PE/ART/Music

Study Hall/Library DS. Elective DS. Elective

Prep: PE/ART/Music

Study Hall/Library Geometry

Elective- Intern

Period 3 Hist 6 Sci 6 D.S. Elective DS. Elective

Prep: PE/ART/Music

Study Hall/Library

Prep: PE/ART/Music

Study Hall/Library DS Elective

Prep: PE/ART/Music

Study Hall/Library

Elective- Intern

Period 4 ELA 6

CCSS 6th Grade Math ELA 7 ELA 7 CCSS Math 7

CCSS 6th Grade Math ELA 8 CCSS Math 8

Period 5 Hist 6 6th Sci Hist 7 Hist 7 Sci7 Sci 6 Hist 8 Sci 8

Period 6 DS. Elective DS. Elective ELA 6 ELA 7 Sci7 Sci7 ELA 8 Sci 8

Elective- Intern

Period 7

Prep: PE/ART/Music

Study Hall/Library

Prep: PE/ART/Music

Study Hall/Library Hist 6 Hist 7

CCSS Accelerated

Math 7 CCSS Math 7 Hist 8 CCSS Math 8Elective-

Intern

21st Century Skills

Collaboration & Cooperation

Communication

Creativity

OrganizationProblem Solving

Social Responsibility

Internship Elective

Project Based

Learning

Tech Yes Elective

Technology Fluency

6th Grade

7th Grade

8th Grade

Washington DC/ New York Trip

GRDC Middle Grades Sports

GRDC Electives & Enrichment

Middle Grades Activities

GRDC Student Leadership

• Students may participate in the leadership class if they desire

• Students plan dances and fun student-lead activities such a Movie Days

• All ideas that are student generated are considered by the whole group

• They are an active part of site planning

GRDC’s GATE Mission

Provide high quality differentiated opportunities for learning that successfully address gifted and talented students’ individual and unique abilities and talents while meeting and exceeding state and local content standards within the context of the regular school day.

GRDC’s “GATE Plan”

• Project Based Learning – Minimum 1 PBL project in every grade level

• Accelerated Reader/Bookshop – Students receive reading materials on their individualized reading level

• Math Acceleration – GRDC offers Algebra & Geometry

• Writers Workshop – Students receive individual feedback on their writing skills in addition to strategy lessons to accelerate the individual’s writing

GRDC’s “GATE Plan”

• Enrichment Classes – GRDC is launching a new program that offers a wide variety of fee-based enrichment class for all students

• K-1 students, although not identified, are provided flexible grouping options

• Provide opportunities in performing arts, sciences, leadership, & sports

• Individualized Learning Plans – Shared at fall conferences

GATE Individual Learning Plan

Visitation Days

• Nov. 19 at 9:00 a.m.• Dec. 9 at 9:00 a.m.• Jan. 20, 1:00-2:45 p.m.