Middle

Newton County middle schools provide an educational program and environment that is responsive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of students in grades six through eight. Middle schools provide a bridge between elementary school and high school. Teaching how subjects interrelate and how those bonds affect everyday life is just one of the goals of the middle school concept. This educational philosophy focuses attention on the whole child by using team teaching, common planning time, and coordination of subject matter to heighten learning. The middle school curriculum offers a wide range of courses from essential basics to advanced studies.

Mathematics: The newly adopted Georgia Mathematics standards are designed to provide a strong foundation, to be clear and understandable, and to present a reasonable amount of content in each year. The new standards also help learners achieve a balance among concepts, skills, and problem solving. They provide clear expectations for curriculum, instruction, assessment, and student work. The standards stress rigorous concept development and real-world applications while maintaining a strong emphasis on computational and procedural skills. At all grades, the standards encourage students to reason mathematically, to evaluate mathematical arguments both formally and informally, to use the language of mathematics to communicate ideas and information precisely, and to make connections among mathematical topics and to other disciplines.

English Language Arts: In our English Language Arts classes, students are instructed under the guidance of the Georgia Standards of Excellence, which require students to gain, evaluate, and present information in various mediums. Students develop reading skills for both informational and literary texts and are asked to make text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections. Students demonstrate their learning through informational, argumentative, and narrative writing, as well as other performance demonstrations.

Science: The science curriculum follows the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE), which are designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills to develop proficiency in science. The standards focus on providing hands-on, student-centered, and inquiry-based approaches to science instruction. Skills of observation, experimentation, analysis and authentic scientific inquiry are emphasized.

Social Studies: The Social Studies curriculum allows students to become knowledgeable and responsible citizens. The content standards address civics and government, economics, geography, and history. The social studies curriculum develops citizens who can participate in a culturally diverse, democratic, and global society, while being able to analyze and objectively evaluate historical and social issues. Our students develop the ability to apply 21st-century skills, use critical thinking skills for problem-solving, make authentic, real-world connections, and use technology to collect information, show creativity, and innovate.
Gifted Students: Academically gifted students who meet state eligibility requirements may enroll in the Quest program. Quest classes are taught on an advanced level in science, language arts, social studies, and math, if teacher resources are available.

All middle schools ensure that students receive five hours of academics daily while also developing individual skills through exposure to band, chorus, art, foreign languages, physical education, and technology in connections classes. Instructional technology is integrated throughout lessons both inside and outside of the classroom. Curriculum fairs and contests allow students to compete with other schools and districts in such areas as science, social studies, composition, and oratorical competitions. The middle schools also offer extra-curricular clubs as well as interscholastic and intramural sports.

Grade Reporting: Progress reports are posted each 4 ½ weeks. Report Cards are sent home at the end of each semester. Teachers schedule two conferences during the school year on early release days to discuss each student's progress with his/her parents. Other conferences are scheduled as necessary. Parents are strongly encouraged to use Infinite Campus, the system's online grade tracking program, whereby parents can access their student's grades, progress reports, attendance and discipline from any computer connected to the internet.

Contact:
Ms. Shundreia Neely
Director of Secondary Education and Professional Learning
770-787-1330 Ext. 1122

Dr. Erika Ellis
Secondary Curriculum & Instruction Coordinator
770-787-1330 Ext. 1224

Ms. Kristen Bagwell
Secondary Curriculum & Instruction Specialist
(English/Language Arts)
770-787-1330 ext. 1223

Dr. Teresa Broadwater
Secondary Curriculum & Instruction Specialist
(Math)
770-787-1330 ext. 1220

Dr. Vicki Meeler
Secondary Curriculum & Instruction Specialist
(Science)
770-787-1330 ext. 1300

Dr. Sophia Seide
Secondary Curriculum & Instruction Specialist
(Social Studies)
770-787-1330 ext. 1299