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Having staff who are experts at teaching
young adolescents and who have a personal commitment to
professional growth and to collaboration through targeted
professional development.
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Teaching a curriculum that involves
students in making personal connections and is grounded in
rigorous, public, academic standards for what students
should know and be able to do.
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Teaching a curriculum which integrates
strategies across all content areas to improve
problem-solving and literacy and which is organized around
major concepts and themes.
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Using a unique system that allows
students to advance in grade at an accelerated rate and that
intervenes when students are struggling.
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Using varied instructional methods that
are designed to prepare all students to achieve higher
standards and that are based on how students learn best.
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Defining and clearly communicating to
students, staff, parents, and the community, what we expect
students to learn.
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Providing support to promote the belief
that through concentrated effort, students will meet high
social and academic expectations.
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Providing instruction and opportunities
for students to grow in areas of social learning that will
help them succeed in school (i.e. to respect, care about,
and feel connected and responsible to each other and to
appreciate diversity).
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Providing a welcoming, safe, healthy,
and comfortable school environment, in part, by fostering
interpersonal skills and through recognition of
accomplishments.
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Involving parents and community members
and providing varied, positive communication with parents
concerning students achievement.
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Maintaining independent, school-based
management founded upon shared decision-making, exploration
of innovative ideas and practices, and experimentation.
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Seeking partnerships with
community-based organizations, businesses, foundations and
other groups who have a stake in the success of students to
extend the influence of the school beyond the traditional
boundaries of school.
