Middle School

The city of Orange is perhaps the most impoverished community in the state of New Jersey. Orange Middle School houses 600 students, where 9 out of 10 come from low income homes. Because of the regulations developed by NCLB, Orange Middle School has been directed to develop new methods and strategies to improve the scores of its failing students.
OMS developed 5 smaller learning communities to help build relationships and establish a sense of community within the school. Teachers within these learning communities meet twice a week , this allows the teachers to develop a stronger curriculum through inter disciplinary units. It also gives the teachers some feedback on individual students and perhaps opportunities to develop strategies on how to help these students to succeed.
The school's administrators and teachers are working together to improve the level of student interest and establish a safe learning environment in an area where violence and crime are evident. The teachers appear to be motivated and their enthusiasm will eventually spread amongst the students.
Some suggestions would be the development of after school programs. These programs could include subject tutoring or club and sports activities. This would help improve social and intellectual development by allowing the students peer interaction, belonging to a group, and recognition for their achievements. Performing some acts of community service would not only improve their moral development, but help them to improve their own world.