1. GRDC Middle School Information Night 2014-15

2. 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

3. 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

4. API Comparison Non-Weighted 3-Year Average API GRDCWCMSACMS 2014923853854 Highest K-8 API in SJUSD Top 15 API for K-8 Schools in the State

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. GRDC K-8 Initiatives Focus on: –Comprehensive Balanced Literacy –Writer’s Workshop –Project Based Learning –21 st Century Skills –Technology - One to One Computing –Hands on Science Strategic Plan Strong relationship with PTO

9. Middle School Master Schedule Teacher 1Teacher 2Teacher 3Teacher 4Teacher 5Teacher 6Teacher 7Teacher 8 Internship 6th Grade ELA/Hist 6th Grade Math/Science 6th/7 th 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 1Homeroom Period 2ELA 6 CCSS 6th Grade Math Prep: PE/ART/Music Study Hall/Library DS. Elective Prep: PE/ART/Music Study Hall/LibraryGeometry Elective- Intern Period 3Hist 6Sci 6D.S. ElectiveDS. Elective Prep: PE/ART/Music Study Hall/Library DS Elective Prep: PE/ART/Music Study Hall/Library Elective- Intern Period 4ELA 6 CCSS 6th Grade MathELA 7 CCSS Math 7 CCSS 6th Grade MathELA 8CCSS Math 8 Period 5Hist 66th SciHist 7 Sci7Sci 6Hist 8Sci 8 Period 6DS. Elective ELA 6ELA 7Sci7 ELA 8Sci 8 Elective- Intern Period 7 Prep: PE/ART/Music Study Hall/Library Hist 6Hist 7 CCSS Accelerated Math 7CCSS Math 7Hist 8CCSS Math 8 Elective- Intern

10. 21 st Century Skills Collaboration & Cooperation Communication Creativity Organization Problem Solving Social Responsibility Internship Elective Project Based Learning Tech Yes Elective Technology Fluency

11. 6 th Grade

12. 7 th Grade

13. 8 th Grade

14. Washington DC/ New York Trip

15. GRDC Middle Grades Sports

16. GRDC Electives & Enrichment

17. Middle Grades Activities

18. 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

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. GATE Individual Learning Plan

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