Urbana Middle School is composed of a group of individuals working toward common goals and
purposes related to the unique intellectual, biological and social needs of the
early adolescent. Each member of this organization is expected to
express his/her individuality, but also is responsible to do so
within the bounds of the accepted norms and values as determined by the school
and the community.
Teachers, supportive staff, and administrators function as a unified, consistent team.
Their task is to provide students with opportunities which will enable
them to participate actively in their learning experiences, accept responsibility for their
own behavior, and move at a comfortable, secure pace toward gaining independence.
The entire staff recognizes that each student has special needs, special gifts and
talents, different learning styles, and varying degrees of maturity.
The purpose of Urbana Middle School is to provide a bridge between the
traditional self-contained classroom of the elementary school and the formalized
departmental structure of the high school. The curriculum and instruction are designed to fit
the students' assessed academic and developmental needs. Growth in the
cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains is facilitated by flexible instruction groupings,
formal and informal exploratory learning opportunities, and challenges to
try out newly developing skills. These approaches encourage and
maintain an appropriate balance between cooperative learning and competetive
opportunities.
The middle school environment provides effective education in an
atmosphere of mutual caring and respect; offers the support of caring adults and
peers; and establishes a school climate which encourages stable relationships,
friendliness, social growth, respect for achievement, and striving for excellence in all
areas. All members of the school community have unique contributions to make; participating,
growing, and gaining fulfillment as they learn from each other.
