SchoolSpring: Ashburnham-Westminster Regional Schools

OVERLOOK MIDDLE SCHOOL

10 Oakmont Drive Ashburnham, Massachusetts 01430

Phone:	978-827-1425
Fax:	978-827-14123
Web Site:	http://oms.awrsd.org/
Grades:	6th - 8th
Enrollment:	Not provided
Setting:	Not provided
District:	Ashburnham-Westminster Regional Schools

Welcome to Overlook Middle School!

Middle School Philosophy

The middle school staff of the Overlook Middle School recognizes that the middle school years are unique and challenging ones for the adolescent passing through them. Adolescence is a wonderful time, a time of profound change for youngsters as they make the adjustment from childhood to adulthood. It is a time when most students experience significant physical growth and become increasingly concerned about their appearance and social connections.

Our philosophy recognizes that the middle school must be a place where the gradual transition from elementary school to high school is accomplished. We believe that the middle school must be a place where students are encouraged and assisted in developing all areas of individual personality – physical, intellectual, social, and emotional. We accept the responsibility of responding to the individual needs, abilities, and interests.

A wide variety of teaching styles will meet the diverse learning styles of students. Staff and students will strive to create a learning environment that is intellectually stimulating, and aesthetically pleasing. The ultimate goal of the middle school is to develop students who are equipped with the skills to be successful and who have gained a life long appreciation for learning.

Mission Statement
Recognizing the unique needs of our early adolescent students, the staff of Overlook Middle School is dedicated to ensuring a successful transition from middle school to high school by:

Providing a caring, welcoming, supportive environment for all;

Teaching a standards-based curriculum, fostering intellectual, emotional, physical and social development;

Cultivating individual strengths and talents within a heterogeneous environment;

Collaborating and communicating with parents and the extended community;

Developing learners, who value, respect and accept the diversity of others.
Guiding Principles
Our School believes in:

Working collaboratively with dedication and knowledge to create exciting possibilities for all students;

Building a strong sense of community that actively cultivates respectful, supportive relationships among students, teachers, and parents to help all students reach their potential;

Creating an integrative, challenging, and exploratory curriculum that is student- centered and taught in a nurturing, caring, and structured setting;

Teaching study habits and the skills of communication, research, technology, problem-solving, critical thinking, and social interaction in a manner that actively engages students in relevant learning experiences;