Whole Child Education

Milwaukie High School's staff works tirelessly to improve their students’ academic, social, and emotional growth; to expand their educational practices; and sharpen the administration’s focus on staff professional development. Incoming students’ reading and math proficiency are assessed by trained staff and additional supplementary reading and math courses are provided as needed. Teams of staff meet once a week with a group of school counselors, mental and physical health providers, social workers, and administrators to discuss ways to support at-risk students. During these meetings, participants collaborate to build individual intervention plans for these students, which can include academic support, mental or physical health care, or other social services.  The strong sense of service Milwaukie High School teachers demonstrate is mirrored in their students’ participation in the community. Students better understand the relevancy of their learning through service learning opportunities, career-technical programs, and the performing arts. The school has seen improvements in reading and math achievement in participating students, and its graduation rate has steadily improved beyond Oregon state’s average. 

"This suburban school provides programs that promote healthy eating, stress reduction, cardiovascular fitness, and personal and social responsibility. After-school Zumba workouts numerous community resources are available to families and provide support for a healthy lifestyle. Project Fit America, a national nonprofit public charity dedicated to getting kids fit, is integral to supporting the school in reversing the lack of fitness in children and in teaching children to take personal responsibility for their health.

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Lake Bluff School (LB) is a neighborhood school within the diverse community of Shorewood, Wisc. The schools in Shorewood are the hub of the community and LB is considered a jewel in that hub, in no small part because of efforts with character education (CE). The LB staff unanimously decided to implement an intentional CE program in response to a parent survey that showed several areas of concern regarding student behavior. Work with character has transformed the school culture and climate.
 

Lima Primary is committed to advocating for the total well-being of their students. A schoolwide philosophy of students being at the forefront of decisions, collaboration, continuous reflection, and interest in lifelong learning guides the School Improvement Team at the school. A wellness focus for all members of the school family; an active, year-long garden; student learning experiences; and an inquiry-based, balanced literacy program are just a few ways faculty, parents, and kids work together to fulfill the school’s philosophy. School Leader's core values guide others in the community by embedding whole-child tenets in the daily programs provided to students.
 

Port Jervis's school improvement efforts over the past few years have completely changed the school into a thriving learning environment that focuses on more than just student academic achievement. One of the first recipients of the NYSASCD Whole Child for the 21st Century Award, the school has initiated programs that fully prepare students for work, college, and citizenship by keeping them healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. The culture motivates students and engages them in learning through programs such as the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Students, community outreach activities, health fairs, and proactive assemblies.
 

Alexander Graham Middle School (PDF), a 2012 North Carolina Middle School Association Redesignated School to Watch, is a diverse school that draws from a diverse population in Charlotte, N.C. The school has does an excellent job of establishing a culture that meets all students' needs, which allows students to coexist and get along. The school provides a rigorous curriculum to students at all levels, yet is one of the few schools we've seen that has stayed committed to the concept of recess. At Alexander Graham, "Fresh Air Time (FAT)" is taken seriously, and students truly enjoy their breaks. They have managed to find the balance between hard work, high achievement, and physical activity.
 

If a middle school needs tips on how to improve, it can turn to the Indian Lake school district for help. Indian Lake, a K–12 school in New York, has been picked for the “Essential Elements: 2012 Schools to Watch” program, an initiative that recognizes middle schools that demonstrate excellence. This is the first time this school has been recognized for this honor for its practical and cultural experiences that address the mental and physical needs of each student. Although the school is small in population, the culture is rich in academic excellence and expectations. Students leave the school feeling inspired in self sufficiency, lifelong learning, creativity, responsibility, and citizenship.
 

Walnut Street School, with a diverse student population that is 42 percent African-American and 48 percent Hispanic, initiated a character education program six years ago in response to escalating gang violence. The initiative accomplished much more: It now defines the school’s approach to learning and to life. This school has narrowed, and in some cases reversed, the achievement gap. Character education is now an integral part of the schoolwide plan. Quarterly assemblies reinforce character lessons. The school ties character education to sports activities. The G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program teaches about bullying prevention and learning not to be a bystander. Walnut Street uses multiple strategies to reach every student. Parental support is strong; the school was named a PTA School of Excellence.
 

Farnsworth Middle School is an exciting and engaged learning community. All members of school community are continually involved in the active process of learning. The staff balances challenging goals with its understanding of the unique intellectual, social, emotional, and physical needs of their students. Family and community partnerships ensure that all students are fully supported during their development at the school. Students are put into teams so that each student can be given greater attention individually and as teams. Farnsworth expects all students to learn and achieve at their highest potential.
 

Pleasantville Middle School is an education community that is dedicated to understanding and facilitating the positive transition from childhood to adolescence. Community and staff are committed to providing educational experiences where learning is valued, differences are accepted, wellness is encouraged, and accountability is realized, to assure the development of each students’ intellectual, educational, physical, personal, and social growth.