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