Report: Middle Schools Play Key Role in High School Grad Rates

By Martha Dalton

Atlanta – A new report indicates the key to raising Georgia's high school graduation rates may be strengthening its middle schools. The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, which issued the report, examined 12 high-performing middle schools to see what makes them successful. WABE's Martha Dalton has more.

The schools in the report shared two commonalities: a culture of high expectations and support for students who struggle. Forest Park Middle School was one of the schools featured. Principal Jamille Miller-Brown says her faculty has a laser-like focus on student achievement:
"If you walk through our hallways, it's evident by things you see in the hallways. When you go into the classrooms, we keep student achievement charts. The students are aware of their data. They set goals for themselves."
Loganville Middle School was also part of the report. Principal Russell Brock says providing extra support is critical to the school's success:
"We cut down a lot of wasted time and we created a 30-minute period every morning. Kids get whatever remediation they may be needing at the time. Or if they're doing well or if they're a gifted child, they'll get whatever acceleration they need."
The report concluded the most effective middle schools are the ones that, despite their success, constantly look for ways to improve.