Reimagining Middle Schools

Purpose

The Reimagining Middle School (RMS) Committee was developed to make suggestions for a new, “reimagined” middle school model that is based on research, co-designed with stakeholders.

Overall project goal:

To better serve the developmental, social-emotional, and academic needs of middle school students, through engaging students, families, and staff in restructuring the BSD middle school experience.

Project deliverables:

Develop implementation plans for Advisory/Homeroom and Problem Based Learning that are based on research and stakeholder engagement and that phase in the changes over time and through a thoughtful, well-defined, realistic piloting and evaluation process.

Why is this important?

The middle school years represent an opportunity for young people to find their voice, discover and develop their interests, and develop longstanding relationships. This effort will imagine a new kind of middle school where young people engage in innovative, personalized learning experiences, both in and out of school, to capitalize on and build their cognitive and social emotional capabilities. We have an opportunity to improve the school culture, build more trusting relationships with students, and empower them to take greater ownership of their learning.

Together, we can create a dynamic and powerful force to advance new ways of thinking about how our BSD students will reimagine their middle school experience!

Membership

The Design Members will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including drafting structures and systems to support Advisory/Homeroom and Problem-Based Learning, determining professional development needs for teachers, and working with community partners to provide additional resources and support. For more information, please visit this page.

• Participating in team meetings: Design Team members.
• Determining professional development
• Engaging with community stakeholders

The Consultancy Board will help ensure a thoughtful, well-defined, realistic piloting, and evaluation process. For more information, please visit this page. Join us by completing this interest form.

• Providing input, feedback, and support stakeholder engagement for the RMS Design Teams.
• Providing feedback, the draft recommended implementation plan that is based on current research and literature.
• Reviewing and providing feedback on the draft phases of the implementation plan.

2022-2023 Steering Committee Members:

Extensive Stakeholder Engagement:

The work of the committee will be augmented by one-on-one interviews and focus groups with other stakeholders and constituents. Findings from these intake sessions will be shared with the committee during the course of their regularly scheduled meetings.

RMS Proposal and Final Report

• RMS Final Presentation (PDF)
• RMS Proposal and Full Report (PFD)
• Students’ Video – What motivated you to join the RMS Steering Committee?
• Students’ Video – How will a reimagined middle school make you feel?

RMS Design Teams and Consultancy Board

• RMS Consultancy Member Responsibilities (PDF)
• RMS Design Team Responsibilities (PDF)
• RMS Consultancy Board Interest Board