Peel District School Board

Middle School Education in Peel

Young adolescents• undergo rapid, uneven physical,

intellectual, social and emotional growth

• experience uncertainty and self-doubt

• are intensely curious

• need to belong and contribute• like to interact with peers during

learning experiences

Young adolescents

Young adolescents • prefer active over passive learning• have a strong sense of justice• need to have their dignity

respected, especially when being guided to make positive choices

Middle School climate• safe, caring,

inviting and personal

• work to eliminate bullying

• foster the sense of individuality and community

Middle School climate• foster student voices and choices• encourage hetereogenous

grouping of students

Middle School climate

• strong mentoring and guidance system

• rich programme in athletics and the arts

• employ cooperative learning methods

Middle School climate• provide opportunities for student

leadership and community service• provide opportunities for parent

and community involvement

Middle School teachers• make a choice to be in a middle

school setting• reflect the cultural diversity of the

school• balance of males and females

Middle School teachers• maintain control when others

cannot• display optimism, flexibility and a

sense of humour• believe that all students have

strengths, talents and the ability to learn

Organizational structures: create a learning community• physical space to allow for large

and small group meetings• interdisciplinary team

organizations at all grade levels

Organizational structures: create a learning community• A commitment to

involve parents by keeping them informed of student progress

• Common planning times for grades/disciplines

Organizational structures: effective timetabling• large blocks of instructional time to

allow flexibility in meeting students’ needs

• rotary kept to a minimum

Organizational structures: effective timetabling• opportunities for student choice• daily common planning times for

teams, within the school day

Organizational structures: positive relationships• balance of specialty and generalist

teachers• focus on student contact and

relationship building

Organizational structures: positive relationships

• Limit the number of teachers each student sees during the day

• Regular contact with parents through agendas, open houses, etc.

Organizational structures:positive relationships• guidance and counselling services • small group and individual

guidance provided by classroom teachers

Organizational structures:positive relationships

• Focus on sixth grade students as they transition to new school

• Positive connection between school and parents and community

Organizational structures:programming• integration of core subjects

(L.A., History and Geography; Math/Science/Tech)

• wide variety of extra curricular activites

• strong advisory programme

Organizational structures:programming• structures to ensure smooth

transitions between school environments

• structures to address needs of all learners

Organizational structures:programming• programming promotes self

esteem as fundamental in building identity

Organizational structures:programming• provide staff with training and

equipment in computers/technology

• commitment to regular health and physical fitness activities

Teaching and learning• programme is engaging and

stimulating• provides students with choice• relates learning to their world,

focusing on their issues

Teaching and learning• curriculum is delivered

in integrated units• blocks of instruction• teachers are

continually checking in with students

Teaching and learning• review time built into lessons• teachers take responsibility for all

aspects of their students: social/emotional/intellectual/physical well being

Teaching and learning

• activity based learning over Socratic style

• performance based assessment

Teaching and learning• encourage higher order thinking• provide opportunities to integrate

technology• support and value teacher/student

relationships

Middle Schools in Peel

• Thomas Street Middle School• Ruth Thompson Middle School

www.ruththompsonmiddleschool.ca

Photographs by:

Janet Currie

Media Technology Specialist

Peel District School Board

2005