|
About NMS |
|
| Northridge Middle School | ||
Northridge Middle School has consistently been recognized as a Four Star school by the state of Indiana. It offers a wide variety of programs to meet the unique needs of students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades. Students are divided into instructional teams at each grade level. This organization provides a smaller community atmosphere for the students and allows for better communication between teachers and parents. Subject areas covered within instructional teams include language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science. Expressive arts courses are also offered, including instruction in instrumental and vocal music, art, family and consumer science, computer technology, physical education, health, introductory courses in Spanish and Chinese, and Exploring Music. The curriculum is designed to meet the academic needs of all students across the educational spectrum. The Northridge Middle School staff believes that it is important for students to have an ongoing relationship with at least one adult in whom they can feel a connection of warmth, concern and understanding. An advisory program is designed to provide this relationship. Each student is assigned to an advisory group that meets once a week. Here, students have opportunities to learn life lessons that are geared to their developmental stage. This supportive structure helps to guide students through the transitional middle school years. The guidance department offers a variety of services to students. Counselors follow students from entry in sixth grade to graduation from eighth grade. This continuity enables parents, students and teachers to monitor development both academically and personally. Counselors assist students with instructional counseling, tutoring, consultation, achievement testing and small group counseling. While computers are available in all classrooms and the library, Northridge offers many unique opportunities for students to learn about and use technology. In the Art curriculum, students produce presentations including morning announcements, which are broadcast over a closed circuit television network. Students also learn how to use robotics, lasers, and many other types of technology to solve real-world problems in Tech Lab. The middle school philosophy is continued before and after regular school hours as the majority of the faculty participates as club sponsors, athletic and academic coaches in an effort to provide a variety of enrichment opportunities. Northridge, a member of the Big 11 Athletic Conference, offers team sports such as basketball, cross-country, track, cheerleading, football, volleyball, wrestling, swimming, soccer, tennis, and golf. There are also various intramural opportunities available. Clubs offered include Chess Club, Rocket Club, SAC (Smart Adolescent Choices), SPEAK (drama), Leisure League and Yearbook. Two other clubs, the Northridge Student Council and National Junior Honor Society, have been recognized at the state and national levels for Make A Difference Day and Honor Council. Academically, students can participate in a variety of extra curricular activities as well. These include Academic Super Bowl, art contests, regional music competitions, math contests, social studies competitions, Science Fair, Science Olympiad, MathCounts, Jazz Band, Quiz Bowl, Spelling Bee, Optimist Oratorical Contest, and Spell Bowl. Excellence in several of these competitions has lead to state and national recognition. In recent years, Northridge students have received full and partial college scholarships as a result of their outstanding performance in these academic activities. Northridge Middle School provides a safe and meaningful middle school environment. It enjoys an abundant amount of parent and community support. A caring staff of administrators, counselors, teachers, nurse, secretaries, custodians, and other support team members completes the impressive Northridge experience. |