Middle Schools
During middle school, students build upon skills and concepts introduced at the elementary level, particularly skills such as listening, writing, speaking, reading, using computers, and critical thinking.
The Middle School Program also provides experiences and activities in general studies courses designed to acquaint students with the concepts of the major subjects such as social studies, science, mathematics, and literature. In addition, middle school is a time to address personal and social needs that are important to students of this age. Health and physical education and cocurricular activities appropriate to the development of the preadolescent and exploratory courses in art, music, foreign language studies, family and consumer sciences, and industrial arts are offered as well as other subjects of interest. By the time students leave middle school, they are well-prepared for success in high school. In general, the middle school day begins at 7:40 a.m. and ends at 2:20 p.m.— just like the high school day.
Interdisciplinary Teaming
To help students adapt and develop, all of the District’s middle schools use a team approach to instruction. Teams of three to six teachers share the same students, the same part of the school building, and the same planning time. Teaming, which is like a “school within a school,” allows teachers to get to know students and their academic and emotional needs better. Through teaming, teachers are able to coordinate instruction in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies and to vary, as needed, the size of groups and the amount of time used for instruction. Each teacher on a team is responsible for teaching one or more subjects. Students feel a sense of belonging to their team, and parents have the opportunity to talk with all of their child’s teachers during the team’s planning time and/or during Parent-Teacher Conference Days. For additional information about middle school instructional programs, call 485-3673.
Middle School Managed Choice Plan
Middle school students (Grades Six through Eight) are assigned to attend school on the basis of geographical attendance zones, except for students who are accepted into Magnet middle schools, Magnet/Optional middle school programs, or students who receive a transfer.Parents of middle school students may choose for their children (1) to attend the resides school, (2) to submit an application for acceptance into a Magnet School, (3) to submit an application for acceptance into a Magnet Program, (4) to submit an application for acceptance into an Optional Program, (5) to submit an application for approval of a transfer to another school.
Resides School—The resides school is the school that
serves the student’s address and is called the resides school because the student resides in its attendance area. Call 485-3050 to find out the location of the resides school. The student will be assigned to the resides school unless:
- the parent applies to and the student is accepted into another school.
- the student requires a program offered only at a certain location and the JCPS District makes the assignment based upon the student’s need.
Transportation is provided if the student lives a mile or more from the assigned school.
Magnet—A Magnet is a school or program within a school, which attracts students Districtwide or from a portion of the District. Two types of middle school Magnet programs—Traditional and Math, Science, and Technology (MST)—are offered at more than one location, and students are assigned to a school based upon their address. Parents apply for placement for their child in a Magnet School/Program during the winter. The school notifies the parent in the spring if the child is accepted, and the child enters the Magnet School/Program at the beginning of the following school year. If space does not permit the student to be accepted, the parent may apply again the following winter. Waiting lists are not maintained from year to year. School bus transportation is provided for all Magnet schools and Magnet programs except the Brown School. In place of school bus transportation, the Brown School provides free TARC tickets for all students who need them. For more information on middle school Magnet schools and Magnet programs, call 485-3323.
Option—An Option is a small, specialized program in a particular school. Optional programs are developed by local school staffs for their students. The majority of students enrolled in optional programs live in the school’s designated attendance area. However, students residing outside the school’s designated attendance area may apply and be accepted into an Optional Program if program capacity and the school’s compliance with racial-balance guidelines permit. Transportation is not provided beyond the optional school’s designated attendance area. For more information, call 485-3323.
Student Transfers—Transfers may be granted at a parent’s request for specific reasons such as adjustment, hardship, or medical. Transfers are granted on the basis of building/class capacity and racial-balance guidelines. Transportation is not provided for transfers. For more information regarding student transfers, call 485-3340.
Middle School Magnet Schools, Magnet Programs,
and Optional Programs(pdf)
In addition to learning more about the student’s resides school, parents of middle school students may also want to consider Magnet middle schools, as well as Magnet/Optional middle school programs:
Magnet Schools:(pdf)
* Barret Traditional Middle—Traditional Magnet School
* Brown School—Self-Directed Learning
* Jefferson County Traditional Middle—Traditional Magnet School
* Johnson Traditional Middle—Traditional Magnet School
* School assignments are based upon the student’s address.
Magnet Programs:(pdf)
* Farnsley Middle—Mathematics, Science, and Technology
* Highland Middle—International Studies
* Jefferson, Thomas—Communications
* Meyzeek Middle—Mathematics, Science, and Technology
* Newburg Middle—Mathematics, Science, and Technology
* Noe Middle—Gifted and Talented
*Noe Middle—Visual and Performing Arts
* School assignments are based upon the student’s address.
Optional Programs:(pdf)
Crosby Middle—Liberal Arts
Highland Middle—Fine Arts
Lassiter Middle—Environmental Science
Moore Traditional Middle—Environmental and Life Science Program
Southern Leadership Academy—Computer Technologies
Stuart Middle—Health Careers
Westport Traditional Middle and Fine Arts Academy—Humanities/Fine Arts
Information About Magnet School/Program Application Process
Applications for Magnet middle schools and Magnet/Optional middle school programs are available at all Jefferson County Public Schools beginning in early November. Applications may also be obtained by visiting the Showcase of Schools, held each fall, or by contacting the office of Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs at 485-3323 or the Parent Assistance Centers at 485-6250 or 485-6771.
The deadline for receipt of middle school applications by the office of Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs is the first Friday in January. (NOTE: The deadline is the same for high school applications; however, the elementary school application period is the month of February.) Students new to the District may apply after the deadline, but placement is dependent upon available openings, admissions criteria for specific programs, building capacity, and racial-balance guidelines.
On the Magnet School/Program application, parents should indicate their first choice and may also indicate their second choice if they wish to do so. Submitting more than one application will cause any previous application (s) to be voided. All applicants will receive a postcard from the office of Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs acknowledging receipt of their application within three to four weeks.
Students will be notified by the school to which they have applied if additional material is required. Parents and students should promptly comply with all requests for supplemental information to ensure further consideration in the selection process. Notification of acceptance or nonacceptance will come directly from the school by early May.
Traditional Schools; the Math, Science and Technology (MST) Programs; and the Brown School use a random-draw list process. Applications for a Traditional School, MST Program, and the Brown School will be included in the random-draw list only if indicated as a student’s first choice and if the application is submitted by the deadline.
For more information, call the office of Optional, Magnet, and Advance Programs at 485-3323.
