School Culture/Climate

New Findings from AMLE Successful Middle School Research Project Presented at AERA

The research compares perceptions of how middle schools meet young adolescent needs across community groups For immediate release. April 23, 2024 In an exciting next step for AMLE’s Successful Middle School Research Project, Dr. Sarah Pennington presented new research findings during this month’s American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting. Held this year in Philadelphia,

Read More… from New Findings from AMLE Successful Middle School Research Project Presented at AERA

Leading from the Middle: Four Things Middle School Leaders Want Parents to Know

Research is clear that family engagement in middle school is essential for student success. Yet it sometimes feels like schools and families are more divided than ever. Middle school leaders must build stronger partnerships that help both constituencies achieve their shared goal: success for the whole student. In celebration of Middle Level Education Month #MLEM,

Read More… from Leading from the Middle: Four Things Middle School Leaders Want Parents to Know

Leading from the Middle: The Unique Skillset of the Middle School Leader

Strong leadership is essential to a successful middle school. This statement may seem obvious, but a leader who possesses the unique skillset to lead from the middle can be easy to take for granted. In fact, decades of research tell us that middle grades leadership is so essential that it’s included as the third pillar

Read More… from Leading from the Middle: The Unique Skillset of the Middle School Leader

Middle School Gets a Bad Rap. It’s Time to Flip the Script.

“Bless your heart.” “I’m so sorry!” “Why?” If you’re a middle grades educator, it’s likely you’ve heard one of these reactions when you tell someone your profession. It’s not uncommon for people to recount negative memories from their own time as a middle schooler or bemoan, “kids these days.” Even though 10–15-year-olds are experiencing the

Read More… from Middle School Gets a Bad Rap. It’s Time to Flip the Script.

Collaboration and Connections: How to Transform the School Library into a Vibrant Learning Hub

The middle school library is an evolving space. What was once consistently a quiet space for reading has changed into a versatile space with a variety of functions, depending on the school. The Library Learning Commons at Scotts Ridge Middle School demonstrates how this evolution can create a library that serves as a hub of

Read More… from Collaboration and Connections: How to Transform the School Library into a Vibrant Learning Hub