Middle Start offers research-based professional development programs that invigorate teaching and learning resulting in improved rigor, equity, and achievement. Middle Start programs can be offered individually, or can be integrated into a comprehensive school improvement plan.

Rigorous Curriculum

Academic Rigor and Differentiated Instruction

Plan for rigorous and differentiated lessons and units and develop strategies for helping kids get motivated, smart, and able to demonstrate what they know with confidence.

Making the Connection

Adolescent Development and Achievement Workshop Series

Create a school culture and academic program that meets the cognitive, social, and emotional needs of the young adolescent. Put the focus on adolescent development and achievement.

DataSmart

Focusing on Data to Improve Instruction

Build school data teams to analyze and apply information to improve instruction. Teams look at assessments, curricula, and work products, and use surveys to capture student and teacher perceptions. The Middle Start Self-Assessment Surveys facilitate this process.

ABCI

Achievement by Continuous Improvement

Middle-Grades School Improvement Method. Organize your school around the central goal that ALL students will produce quality work and succeed in meeting standards, and then work to achieve this aim.

School Study

Building Professional Learning Communities

Identify essential questions and create a portfolio of evidence to frame your school’s goals. Create an action plan to achieve your goals. Partner with other schools to create study teams that observe and report on progress towards achieving goals.

Why do Middle Start programs work?

Each program is customized by a Middle Start coach who is familiar with your school culture and goals.

• Middle Start professional development programs are: Research-based
• Supportive
• Student-centered
• Age Appropriate
• Adaptable
• Hands-on
• Focused on results

While the focus and approach may differ, all Middle Start programs require that you reflect on what your school does well and identify areas that can be improved upon to help ensure that ALL students can achieve success.