Kingsview Middle School is a progressive middle school located in Germantown, Maryland. We have a diverse population that represents over 50 countries and 30 languages.  We have created a true middle school team concept where students share a common location in the building, a common group of teachers, and travel with a common group of their peers. This allows for each student to build relationships of trust, honesty and respect among their peers and teachers. A combination of academic and social activities will be planned throughout the year which will allow lasting relationships to form among students, staff, and parents.  Research strongly suggests that such a school structure increases student achievement through challenging course offerings, improves teacher satisfaction that results in higher teacher retention, provides parent approval, support, and involvement in the school program, increases student and staff attendance, and reduces disciplinary referrals.  Meeting the goals of achievement, safety, personalization, belonging and identity will create a positive and productive environment for all. 

We also have implemented an 8th grade High School Preparatory Academy I an effort to better prepare our eight grade students for their High School Experience and provide greater rigor, higher academic and behavioral expectations, and greater freedom throughout the school year. There are eight “pillars” to our Academy.

1                    Volume of work to increase

2                     Volume of Reading to increase

a.       Novels

3                     A greater emphasis on Writing

a.       Extended Constructive Response

4                     A greater emphasis on Reading

a.       Comprehension and Reflection

5                     Time management

a.       Projects and Assignments

6                     Greater Emphasis on Vocabulary

7                     Transition to more freedom

8                     More long term projects

a.       Learning to manage over time

9                     Media Center Research-Technology and Text

a.       Research Project

Our goal is to successfully implement changes that will safeguard Kingsview from becoming another large middle school where students feel overwhelmed, anxious, and overshadowed by the size of their environments. Community School students need personalized environments where they have a sense of belonging, safety, and identity. Eighth Grade Students need the transition of instruction and work expectations to prepare them from High School. These types of environments maximize instructional staff support to promote student learning and provide smaller academic learning communities.