Middle School Overview:
Berlin Intermediate, Pocomoke Middle, and Stephen Decatur Middle Schools were recognized by the Maryland State Department of Education for a high level of achievement and/or significant subgroup improvement on the 2006 Maryland School Assessment (MSA). All of our middle schools have made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), as measured by Maryland School Assessments (MSA) under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Pocomoke Middle and Snow Hill Middle Schools were named as 2006 Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS) Exemplar Schools. Berlin Intermediate, Snow Hill Middle, and Stephen Decatur Middle are Professional Development Schools. Stephen Decatur Middle is home to the 2006-2007 Maryland Teacher of the Year and Pocomoke Middle is home to the 2007 Worcester County Teacher of the Year. Berlin Intermediate, Pocomoke Middle, and Snow Hill Middle are Arts Immersion schools.
There are 4 schools in Worcester County with middle school grades and programs:
All of these schools are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Education for students in grades 6-8 takes into consideration and nurtures intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth. Students in the middle grades are provided comprehensive and challenging programs which expand the skills, concepts and processes developed in the elementary grades. Curriculum, instruction, activities, services, and assessments are designed to promote the development of high academic skills and talents as well as foster personal, physical and social growth. Middle grade programs provide challenging opportunities for students in the following subjects: 
Middle level teachers continuously assess the performance of students and implement those instructional strategies and curricula which will meet the student's present and future needs.
In order to support efforts to meet state standards, instruction in the middle grades is enhanced by:
To further enrich the instructional programs, the following activities are provided:
Special instructional programs and services are provided to accommodate the unique needs of each student. Special education services are provided for students with disabilities. Challenging academic programs are provided for gifted and high achieving students. In addition, guidance, counseling, speech therapy, and psychological services are an integral part of the instructional program.
An Alternative Program is available to students who experience behavior or academic problems in the regular classroom. The program helps students resolve their academic and behavior problems.
Band Program
A band program is offered for all interested students. Parents may purchase or rent instruments. Band instruction is given during the regularly scheduled school day. Students who miss scheduled classes for band instruction are required to complete all missed assignments.
School Activities
Students are encouraged to participate in the various clubs and organizations in school. These groups will afford the student the opportunity to become involved in school related activities. These activities build school spirit and pride. When a student is absent from a class because he/she is involved in an extracurricular activity, it will be the student's responsibility to make up any missed work.
Student Government
The Student Government Association works with the administration to plan social events and provide input about student concerns. Officers and representatives for each homeroom are elected yearly.
Middle School Academies
Expanded educational opportunities for students in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 to participate in academic intervention and enrichment activities are provided in the Middle School Academies. The Academies provide expanded learning programs beyond the regular school day and during the summer months. Additionally, Snow Hill Elementary School, in partnership with Oasis Ministries, provides after school programming for students in grades K through 3.
Testing
The Maryland School Assessment (MSA) Program is a state testing program that measures how well schools are teaching students the knowledge and skills they need. Students are assessed in reading and mathematics. At the middle school level, the MSA test is administered to students in grades 6 through 8. In the 2006-2007 school year, students in grade 8 will also take a state science assessment. Parents will receive a copy of their child's performance report.
The Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills/5 is a standardized nationally normed test that is designed to measure the performance of students. Parents will receive a copy of their child's performance.
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