Ayer Introduction

Toby Johnson Middle School: Introduction

Principal: Patrick McDougall
Enrollment: 1,475
Significant Subgroups: 22% eligible for free and reduced lunch; 7% English learners; 17% African American; 17% Hispanic/Latino; 20% Asian; 35% White
Grade Configuration: 7-8
Daily Schedule: Modified 4 x 4 block schedule, looping
Achievement Data: 2005 API of 823; 2004 statewide rank of 9; 2004 similar schools rank of 7

Distinctive Characteristics

Academic Excellence

The middle school and adjacent high school were designed to share programs and resources.
A community library between the two campuses serves students as well as the broader community.
Joint scheduling allows middle school students access to high school electives and advanced classes.
Literacy and mathematics classes are part of instruction every day; a “bridge” class ensures students receive math and language arts instruction when not enrolled in regular courses.
Looping ensures the curriculum is sequenced and non-repetitive.
A school-wide professional development series focuses on effective instructional strategies.
Students demonstrate their knowledge in many forms, including “stretch” projects and hands-on activities.

Developmental Responsiveness

Three full-time counselors and a school psychologist provide services to students.
Looping enables students to establish relationships with teachers.
An advocacy program pairs each student with a core teacher who advises, monitors, and encourages social and academic progress. Most students remain with one teacher over two years.
The school offers students 20 electives to choose from, allowing them to take eight semester electives or four year-long electives over a two-year period.
The school is divided into seven “schools-within-a-school,” each with its own team, resulting in strong collaboration and interdisciplinary connections through common lesson planning.
Through its Jump Start program, the school conducts outreach to sixth graders in feeder schools to promote a seamless transition to seventh grade.

Social Equity

There are no “bottom tracks” at the school; all students receive the same rigorous core curriculum; the school’s Honors Program is offered to all students.
Technology is actively used to help students reach standards.
Student recognition options include citizenship, community service, academics and fitness.
The heart of the school’s humanities program is the study of diverse cultures throughout the world; many novels used reflect the diversity of the school’s student population.
Students needing additional support are continuously identified and served within each team.

Organizational Support

A leadership team helped guide campus architecture to ensure a developmentally appropriate environment.
The sophisticated, research-based middle grades program incorporates a strong spirit of innovation.
The close relationship with the high school provides an articulated 7-12 grade program.
The school and district have a solid record of using data to guide instruction.
The community has been actively included in decisions from the original design to the school vision.
Regular parent communication is ongoing within the team structure.

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