With its track record of excellence, its experienced staff, its flexibility in supporting school improvement in a wide variety of middle-grades schools, and its strategic approach to building community and professional networks, Middle Start is the right choice for middle-grades reform.

Expertise in Middle-Grades

Middle Start understands the early adolescent learner

Middle Start is a nationally recognized school improvement model with extensive experience with young adolescent education. The AED Middle Start program transforms middle-grades schools and school systems, particularly in high-poverty areas, into high-performing learning environments that are academically successful and responsive to the unique characteristics of young adolescents. Learn more about the importance of the middle grades.

Flexible

Middle Start programs are easily customized

Middle Start programs support and extend a school’s existing professional development, curriculum and staff initiatives. Middle Start provides both a process for change and the tools to make it happen. Middle Start programs work because they are flexible and highly responsive to the individual needs of a school, while still preserving the context of the proven roadmap for change in the middle grades. Each program is customized by a Middle Start coach who is familiar with your school culture and goals. These locally based school improvement experts facilitate the process and ensure that your school will get the results you seek

Effective

Middle Start programs work!

The effectiveness of the Middle Start approach to middle-grades reform has been proven by over 10 years of research and evaluation by AED and third-party evaluators. In summary:

• Student achievement in Middle Start schools improved significantly in reading, mathematics, science, and social studies.
• Middle Start schools consistently outpaced similar schools and state averages in achievement gains.
• Middle Start schools reported significant improvements in school climate, teacher collaboration, and student engagement in learning.

Interested in learning more about research that supports Middle Start’s outcomes? Click here to keep reading.

Supportive

Middle Start coaches are partners in the process

What distinguishes Middle Start from many school reform programs is the coach, an expert in the design and implementation of effective middle-grades schools. The coach is in the school working with faculty and administration to create and sustain a continuous improvement process geared to academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, and social equity. The coach is a strategic insider who comes to know the school well, advocating for the best interests of students and focusing the school on improvements in teaching and learning. The coach is also a strategic outsider, providing an objective perspective and linking the school to other schools and to local partners with specific expertise and resources. With the coach’s guidance, schools may engage in a variety of activities to increase student achievement and engagement in learning, teacher collaboration, and instructional leadership. Middle Start customizes this support to address school, local and state initiatives and to build on the school’s strengths and its investments in previous and complementary reforms.