Student Achievement:Garnet Valley Middle School (GVMS) students continue to perform exceptionally well on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) testing. 95% of eighth graders achieved proficient or advanced scores in the area of Reading according to the 2012 PSSA scores. 86% of eighth graders achieved proficient or advanced scores in the area of Mathematics. In the area of Science, 83% of 8th graders were proficient or advanced in 2012 while 91% of our students were proficient or advanced in the area of Writing according to the 2012 PSSA domain-scoring rubric. Seventh graders scored 92% proficient or advanced in the area of Mathematics and 94% scored proficient or advanced in the area of Reading according to 2012 PSSA scores. Sixth graders scored 93% proficient or advanced in the area of Reading and 88% scored proficient or advanced in the area of Mathematics.
The GVMS Mathcounts team placed first in Delaware County and first in the State in 2012 earning the honor of hosting the event this year in February. Our GVMS Mathcounts team won the event by placing the 7 students in the top ten. This allowed us to place first in the county for the third consecutive year.
A GVMS student represented Delaware County in the Script's National Spelling Bee in Washington DC.
Student Activities: GVMS offers a multitude of activity clubs, musical endeavors, and interscholastic athletic teams in which students can participate. In 2011-12, over 90% of our student population participated in at least one of the activities. 74% of our students participated in more than one activity, club, or sport.
Unified Arts: GVMS offers a variety of Unified Artsclasses for every student each year. The curriculum includes: Technology Education, Family and Consumer Science, Music, Art, and Business Education. These exploratory classes provide the opportunity to study curricula outside of core academic areas.
Academic Opportunities: GVMS offers a full complement of educational opportunities in the areas of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Accelerated courses are offered in the areas of Mathematics and Science for students who qualify. In addition, our teachers are committed to differentiating instruction to maximize the learning opportunities for every student.
Community Service and Volunteerism: GVMS students exhibit enthusiasm for giving back and volunteering. The following activities are a few examples of our students' generosity:
6th Grade Warm Clothing Drive donated over 4000 warm clothing items to local charities
Canned Food Drive for City Team Mission - 3100 canned items
American Cancer Society "Kids Fighting Cancer" - $4,200
Technology: GVMS continues to expand the resources necessary to prepare our students for the 21st century and beyond. GVMS is equipped with over 500 computers including five wireless mobile labs, an Apple Ipad cart with 30 Ipads, four stationary labs, and wireless capability throughout the school. Each English teacher has three additional student computers; Science classrooms are also equipped with three additional computers. 95% of our classrooms have mounted projectors and most are connected to SMART boards. The Power School Parent Portal is an on-line grade book allowing parents to access information about student progress.
Parent Involvement: GVMS is fortunate to have an abundance of support from our community and parents. The Home and School Associationsponsors many dances and field trips, a craft fair, and family nights throughout the year. Last year our Home and School Association purchased a rock wall to be utilized in Physical Education classes.
Student Recognition: GVMS recognizes the outstanding efforts of our students in the classroom and on the athletic fields. Student of the Month recognition of our 8th grade students demonstrating outstanding effort and progress takes place with our monthly Home and School meetings. Coaches and sponsors recognize our students' efforts at the quarterly Pep Rally. Students have participated at the state level in the National Geography Bee, Spelling Bee, Math Counts, and Science Olympiad.
Continuous Improvement: Bi-weekly grade level meetings are held so that teachers, counselors, psychologists and administrators can discuss the successes and needs of our students. Through the use of the data driven decision-making model, stakeholders evaluate the programs and make recommendations. In addition, a Building Advisory Committee comprised of parents, teachers, and administrators meets monthly to review current practices and report on building-wide concerns to aid in developing resolutions. Building representatives for our professional staff and support staff meet monthly with the principal and assistant principal respectively to discuss and resolve issues and concerns. Finally, GVMS teachers are committed to seeking professional development opportunities to improve instructional practices and assessment.
