Open+Issues

=**School Sizes and Grade Alignment - 6-8 The following findings/directions apply to grades 6 - 8. Please review the findings and then click on the DISCUSSION link above to enter your views about the directions for these findings. ????? indicate a need to make a decision.**=

• 6-8 middle school or junior high school or ?????
 * Finding:** Grade level alignment impacts instructional programs and learning.
 * Direction:** Consistency should be provided across the district for grade alignment as follows:

• Optimal maximum enrollments should be: • 400 - 500 for middle schools ?????
 * Finding:** School sizes impact student learning, potential instructional offerings and school experiences.
 * Direction:**

• Provide secure locker rooms • Provide secure exits and entrances. • Provide adequate seating (number of seats?????) for visitors during games. • Provide separate gender weight rooms with restrooms.
 * Finding:** Students should have opportunities to participate in activities that will improve physical fitness and health and provide opportunities for organized sports.
 * Direction:**

• Middle schools should be divided into grade level multi-disciplinary houses. Each house should be divided with one of each of the core subject teachers in each smaller unit. • Science classrooms should be located in the houses and should be lab/classrooms. • Flexible, varied sized spaces (both small and large group) should be available to be shared by all grade levels to accommodate multiple individualized and/or large group instruction. • Teachers should have time to work with teachers in other disciplines to help to integrate students’ learning • Each house should include space for conferences and teacher collaboration. • Each house should have a counselor and an administrator, and their offices should be in the Flexible, varied sized spaces (both small and large group) should be available to be shared by all grade levels to accommodate multiple individualized and/or large group instruction. • Teachers should have time to work with teachers in other disciplines to help to integrate students’ learning • Each house should include space for conferences and teacher collaboration. • Each house should have a counselor and an administrator, and their offices should be in the house
 * Finding:** In middle school / junior high school, small learning communities increase learning and provide opportunities for students to develop positive relationships with teachers and other students.
 * Direction:**