Staff
at McIntosh Middle School, take a holistic approach to education,
measuring student success by more than test data. The physical,
social, emotional, and spiritual development of the student is also
seen as important. This Philosophy of Wellness helps students to
achieve their highest potential. A school effort, structured as
a Coordinated School Health Program, supports this philosophy. Faculty,
take a low-key approach to FCAT testing, confident in meeting standards
given the rich curriculum in place. This approach elevates unnecessary
stress and creates an educational environment that allows students
to be successful. The School Improvement plan is unique in many
respects and is considered a "living" document, flexible
enough to meet the dynamic needs of staff and students. The school
embraces the Standards of Excellent as prefaced by the District
of Sarasota's by-words, "every child, every day, whatever it
takes".
Results: School Grade: 2002 A; 2003 A.
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- McIntosh maintains a very flexible "living" School
Improvement Plan
- Employing a Philosophy of Wellness to obtain the highest possible
potential from each student
- Giving meaning to the words "every child, every day, whatever
it takes"
McIntosh Middle School offers several unique educational opportunities,
especially those that celebrate diversity. The fine arts curriculum
includes a highly maintained Holocaust Education component. A Miss
Latina Program provides educational opportunities and enhancement
services for female Latina students. A cutting edge Ornamental Horticulture
program boasts a retail Floral Shop for use in business education.
While McIntosh Middle also offers students the challenge of advanced
courses, they believe in producing students equipped to deal with
high school and the workplace beyond. A full 20% of all course grades
are based on "Employable Skills", i.e. attendance, timeliness,
completion of tasks, adherence to dress code, maintenance of Student
Agenda Handbook, all related to academic and life long success.
Results: Students who are motivated to learn:
FCAT scores consistently above the state mean in all areas.
Practices that Promote High
Performance:
- Unique educational programs, including those that incorporate
the celebration of diversity
- A curriculum incorporating high interest programs, advanced
course offerings, and life skills all aimed at student success
- Emphasizing Employable Skills as a component of each course
and including feedback as part of the student's grade
Through continued
demonstration of concern for the students under his care, the principal
at McIntosh Middle has earned the respect of staff, faculty and
community. Careful attention is given as new faculty are hired,
with an emphasis on character as well as credentials to ensure a
good fit with school goals. Teacher surveys indicate a high degree
of job satisfaction and teacher turnover is low. Students benefit
from resources generated by the procurement of grants petitioned
for by the principal, subject area departments and individual teachers.
McIntosh Middle maintains a active School Advisory Committee (SAC)
consisting of parents, community leaders, and business partners,
to work primarily with staff in recognition of students. SAC also
aids in determining allocation of A+ monies received on the heels
of FCAT testing. The principal is aided in decision-making by the
Shared Decision Making Team (SDMT), which is comprised of administration,
students, teachers, staff, and parents. Their varied makeup affords
the SDMT the luxury of multiple perspectives on issues confronting
McIntosh Middle School.
Results: Teacher turnover less
than 2%; High job satisfaction among teachers.
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Attention beyond professional credentials when hiring new faculty
- Faculty and principal taking the initiative to seek funds beyond
those allocated
- Involvement of community, staff and parent committees
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