Ayer Introduction

Bernice Ayer Middle School : Introduction

Principal: Cheryl Baughn
Enrollment: 710 students; 23% in poverty; 17% English learners; White and Hispanic subgroups
Grade Configuration: 6-8
Daily Schedule: Modified block schedule, includes a zero period
Achievement Data: 2005 API of 813; 2004 statewide rank of 9; API growth of 51 points in last four years

Distinctive Characteristics

Academic Excellence

Rotating block two days a week supports differentiation and teaming
High expectations; standards-based curriculum
Weekly Articulation and Collaboration for Excellence (ACE) period for teachers to collaborate
Educational Support Period (ESP) end-of-day study skill session
Spanish/English dual immersion classes
Rigorous standards-based, hands-on projects
Integrated academic-technology projects

Developmental Responsiveness

On-site family counseling and home visits
PAL students trained in conflict mediation for student issues
At-Risk Student Review Team
Daily video broadcast of Breaker News; student-created short feature films
Cross-curricular connections for content standards, particularly with humanities interdisciplinary teams
Exploratory classes in art, music, drama, technology and foreign language
Safe, clean, supportive and friendly campus
School resource officer coordinates Character Counts Program

Social Equity

All students scheduled into rigorous classes
“Pyramid of Success,” a systematic approach to intervention for struggling students
All students access core literature books
Special education students mainstreamed into collaboration classes
Zero period electives for English learners
Dual Immersion and English Language Advisory Council host cultural evenings
Recognition of all students for “as many reasons as we can create!”
Safe to be smart environment

Organizational Support

Principal fosters high level of teacher involvement in the shared-leadership professional learning community
Effective routines and systems allow teachers to focus on student data and learning
Teacher teams use ACEs to analyze and plan for closing gaps and minimizing discrepancies
Teachers participate in Professional Development Academy
Strong link to California State University, Fullerton

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