Schools to Watch Report

Pine Forest Middle School
Schools to Watch 2007 Pine Forest Middle School 6901 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 (910) 488-2711 Formerly, Principal: Dan Krumanocker Website: http://www.pfms.ccs.k12.nc.us/

Introduction:
Pine Forest Middle School is a School of Choice in rural Fayetteville. The school serves approximately 760 students with approximately 30% economically disadvantaged. Students with disabilities make up approximately 16% of the total student body. This year, Pine Forest is serving an additional 120+ 'opt out' students from at-risk (AYP) schools. They have met the challenge of serving each of these unique populations effectively.
The students and staff are happy to be at Pine Forest. There is valuable input and buy in from stakeholders when making decisions for the school. Parents are pleased with progress. Because of positive changes, Pine Forest Middle School has experienced tremendous growth in student achievement, staff morale, and parent satisfaction in the past three years.
Here are some of the things that make Pine Forest Middle School a School to Watch.

Evidence of Academic Excellence "Building Academic Vocabulary" effort is having a profound impact on practices throughout the building Focus on "Characteristics of a Great Classroom" have raised the bar across the school "Word Walls" are everywhere-even in elective classrooms. We don't recall seeing another Word Wall in Spanish elsewhere! Very strong use of feedback and higher-level questioning/thinking consistently observed Teachers have support they need from administration, case manager, literacy coach, counselors, and others to free-up teachers so they can TEACH. It is clearly a team-effort There is a VERY powerful literacy coaching program in place
Evidence of Developmental Responsiveness Many opportunities exist for all students to participate in sports, clubs, and activities Parent communication is a priority-e-mails, newsletters, phone calls, etc. Coaches stay in touch with teachers. Athletes tell us that falling grades are not allowed Music is used effectively throughout the building both instructionally and for background/classroom management A broad use of instructional strategies were evident- including lecture, lab, co-teaching, cooperative grouping, paired reading
Evidence of Social Equity Through focus on vocabulary, all students master over 1500 new vocabulary words during middle school 120 opt-out students from other schools are assimilated into the school culture effectively Special education classes are rigorous yet warm, and every child is expected to succeed All students are engaged. We were told more than once, "We never know what to expect when we come to class. Anything can happen. We do lots of different things." Students are confident and freely express themselves. They behave in a remarkably civil manner, and mutual respect between adults and students is the norm
Evidence of Organizational Structures & Processes Strong use of county's "Creating Great Classroom" focus Monthly staff development meetings share best practices and professional development efforts are articulated and aligned with the school's goals The School Improvement Plan is transparent and clear-everyone know what the staff's goals are and how they will work to achieve them Teachers regularly visit, observe, and plan. They know what their peers are doing, and look for opportunities to integrate curriculum Strong benchmarking and the use of data to drive instruction permeate the school. Staff members contribute to the district's test banks on a regular basis
Closing Comments There are a number of outstanding programs and practices that are not just "there"-they are articulated and woven into the fabric of the school in a way that ensures an educational experience that is academically excellent, developmentally responsive, and socially equitable. Everyone-administration, staff, and students-knows what they are there to do, and they do it with a high level of talent and success.

For more information on "Schools to Watch," you can visit the NC Middle School Association website at: www.schoolstowatch.org/what.htm