Ayer Program

Bernice Ayer Middle School: Program

In its short history as a school, Bernice Ayer has earned many academic honors, including winning Academic Pentathlon teams, three national finalists in the History Day competition, and a State Video Fest winner. Our curriculum provides challenge and support for students at all academic levels. The range of curricular programs includes the Accelerated Academic Achievement program, Two-Way English/Spanish Immersion program, Structured English Immersion program, and an extensive elective program in foreign language, technology and the visual and performing arts. Student artists have received many awards in a variety of community-based exhibits, while the excellence of our instrumental and choral performing groups is consistently recognized at musical festivals. Drama and musical theater performances delight student and parent audiences every year.

Bernice Ayer Middle School has a collaborative culture in which teachers work together in teams to plan instructional activities based on state standards, create common assessments, and conference with parents and students. Active learning strategies allow our students to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills, to participate in collaborative inquiry, and to use the tools of technology. Our modified block schedule facilitates this child-centered approach to learning. The Student Review Team monitors student needs and works with the faculty to ensure that all students experience success.

Academically at-risk students receive additional instructional time and support through intervention classes and tutoring provided both within and outside of the school day aided by the staff mentoring program, counseling groups, Advancement via Individual Determination program, Educational Support Program, Lunch Tutorial, Math Village, and Homework Club. Through the rigorous curriculum, high expectations, and targeted support, Bernice Ayer Middle School has consistently demonstrated academic excellence and continuous improvement on STAR and the District CORE assessments.

At Bernice Ayer, we partner with parents to help students thrive during their middle school years. Teachers communicate expectations, daily assignments and student progress through the student planner, Homework Hotline, Email and Web Grade. An active PTSA, School Site Council and ELAC, along with many volunteer opportunities, keep parents connected to their child's education.

Bernice Ayer Middle School has a uniquely positive school climate. The Effective Behavior Support team has integrated the pillars of Character Counts and our own system of teaching and rewarding behavioral expectations to create a school culture that emphasizes respect and responsibility. We are extremely proud of our students' behavior and the friendly campus atmosphere. The Two-Way Immersion program foster multicultural understanding and awareness at our school. Our students bring this spirit of caring and cooperation to the students of our neighboring elementary school through the cross-age Kids Next Door tutoring program, as well as through the Peer Assistance Leadership Recess Buddies program.

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