Medea Creek Program

Medea Creek Middle School: Program

Medea Creek Middle School is the only middle school in the Oak Park Unified School District . Medea Creek has been a sixth- through eighth-grade middle school for 16 years; prior to that time, the school served seventh- and eighth-grade students from its formation in 1978. Before the site existed, the middle school shared a campus with the high school. Continuous growing enrollment necessitated a new site of its own, and in 1991 the school moved into its current teacher-designed facility.

The philosophy of Medea Creek has always been grounded in state and national standards of excellence. Using California Quality Criteria, Caught in the Middle and Taking Center Stage , the school ensured that continuous improvement and self-evaluation were critical elements in decision-making. There was a realization that an organizational structure for ongoing improvement and accountability had to be built first as a foundation for moving toward permanent progress and success for all students. With state technology grants and restructuring grants, the school began a journey to challenge itself to perform on the cutting edge of education. As a result of research, networking with other schools, and data analysis, Medea Creek has built a strong school with a positive climate for students and staff. Its accomplishments have been recognized with several awards, including the California Distinguished School , the National Blue Ribbon Award, and Schools to Watch-Taking Center Stage Model School .

One special characteristic of Medea Creek is the strong team approach to teaching. Department members work closely to plan instruction so that there is consistency and analysis of lesson effectiveness. Innovations and creativity are valued and supported through both summer work and school year opportunities for curriculum development. New teachers are supported with training from an experienced teacher before school begins.

Another strength of the instructional program is the emphasis placed on differentiating instruction. From special education to gifted students, curriculum is designed to meet the needs of individuals in a heterogeneous setting. The school believes strongly that students should not be tracked, and the staff looks for ways to open doors of learning. This encourages students to believe in themselves and to find appropriately challenging experiences.

To support transitions as well as different academic needs, the school runs some classes on block schedule and others on a fifty-minute daily schedule. This provides opportunities to know students well and to encourage flexibility in instruction. Students are assessed in a variety of ways with the use of multiple intelligence strategies and Kaplan's Learning Icons. Many teachers use the “not done yet” philosophy which encourages students who have not mastered a concept to re-learn it and then take a second opportunity for assessment.

The result of Medea Creek's efforts has been a strong team approach that has created a nurturing, safe, and exciting place to learn. The community is extremely supportive and involved in the education of the school. Students believe that staff members really care about them, which enables students to take risks and challenge themselves. The staff feels that the role of the middle school is to help students explore learning and explore themselves as learners.

Medea Creek is continuing to address academic excellence in a variety of ways. In 2006, the API score increased by 17 points to a total score of 890 and all of our growth targets were met. Yet above all else, Medea Creek Middle School recognizes that its job is to educate the total child and to create lifelong learners.

California League of Middle Schools
6615 East Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 120, Long Beach, California 90803
Voice: 562/430-3136 or 800/326-1880 . . . FAX: 562/430-5607. . . E-Mail: info@clms.net