Why Middle Start

“We’re getting better preparation for our teachers and we’re better prepared to work with middle school students.”
— Principal, Lake Providence Junior High, Louisiana

“We are really coming together as a true middle school. “
— 8th grade language arts teacher, D. M. Smith Middle School, Mississippi

“Focused professional development from Middle Start and its partner Michigan Schools in the Middle, combined with organizational changes (including interdisciplinary teaming and block scheduling) have paved the way for better outcomes for students.”— Principal, Harrison Middle School, Michigan

“The tremendous academic success of the Middle Start schools is evidence of the effectiveness of the school reform model.”— Project Director, Foundation for the Mid South *
“Middle Start has helped unify our school. We are all on the same team.”*
— 8th grade science teacher, Monticello Middle School, Arkansas

“My sister is in sixth grade here and I tell her she’s not focused enough on her schoolwork. She’s got to be more responsible for her assignments and for asking for help when she needs it. That’s what the teachers here expect.”— 8th grade student, Steele

“Friendships were built as we implemented Middle Start. But the changes went beyond school climate. There’s been a focus on real learning, and the literacy initiative is our biggest accomplishment. “
— 8th grade history teacher/leader, Jackson-Parkside Middle School, Michigan

“ABCI has forced us to eliminate “busy work.” Assignments are only given if they’re worth doing. If it’s worth giving an assignment then it’d better be worth doing and do well. This has forced us to question all of our instruction and assignments—why are we doing this? What are the curricular goals? We’ve become very intentional.”— 6th grade teacher, Fennville Middle School, Michigan

“I believe in ABCI because it maintains accountability. If a student doesn’t master a foundational concept, s/he can’t go on until he’s learned the meat and potatoes.”— 7th grade math teacher, Fennville Middle School, Michigan

“The really cool thing about ABCI is the conversations with other teachers. We talk about what quality work looks like and whether we’re teaching our students higher order thinking. We ask, are we raising the bar? We have a lot of heart-felt discussions and arguments about our practice as teachers.”— 7th grade teacher (first year teacher), Steele Middle School, Michigan

“Staff members eventually realize that we’re not here to sort and select kids. We’re here to help them all be successful.”—Middle Start Regional Director

“We jumped right into Middle Start ABCI because we needed to do more serious corrective work. We’ve made AYP now as a result of what we’ve done.” – Principal, Steele Middle School