I'm in the Principal's Seat, Now What? by Allan R. Bonilla

Author:Allan R. Bonilla
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781452290720
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2013-09-14T16:00:00+00:00

Conversion to Middle School

Our school had been a junior high school throughout its long history, with a grade configuration of grades 7 through 9. Most school systems in the United States operated under a system of elementary school, junior high school, and high school. Research was beginning to show that there was a need for a different type of experience at the junior high school level. The National Middle School Association (now the Association for Middle Level Education) began promoting a more personal and relevant format for young adolescents, to include advisory programs, teams, and exploratory offerings. Miami-Dade County Public Schools decided to become a part of this movement, as was most of the country, which meant converting all of its fifty junior high schools into middle schools. When I arrived at Palm Springs, the lettering on the building still read “Junior High School.”

Delegating fosters collaboration, which facilitates change. That was my belief. By involving others as a team, we were all a part of this change effort. It was not a top-down mandate but a buy-in from all involved. It was obvious that this conversion from a junior high to a middle school, with all that it entailed, would be a major undertaking. To make it a more difficult task, there was no room for the ninth graders to move to the high school, as the neighborhood high schools were already overcrowded. That meant that we would be bringing in sixth graders and keeping ninth graders, all while creating a meaningful middle school experience for all.

Delegating fosters collaboration, which facilitates change. That was my belief.

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