High-performing schools with middle grades are socially equitable, democratic, and fair. They provide every student with high-quality teachers, resources, learning opportunities, and supports. They keep positive options open for all students.

1. Faculty and administrators expect high-quality work from all students and are committed to helping each student produce it. Evidence of this commitment includes tutoring, mentoring, special adaptations, and other supports.

2. Students may use many and varied approaches to achieve and demonstrate competence and mastery of standards.

3. The school continually adapts curriculum, instruction, assessment, and scheduling to meet its students' diverse and changing needs.

4. All students have equal access to valued knowledge in all school classes and activities.

5. Students have on-going opportunities to learn about and appreciate their own and others' cultures. The school values knowledge from the diverse cultures represented in the school and our nation.

6. Each child's voice is heard, acknowledged, and respected.

7. The school welcomes and encourages the active participation of all its families.

8. The school's reward system demonstrates that it values diversity, civility, service, and democratic citizenship.

9. The faculty is culturally and linguistically diverse.

10. The school's suspension rate is low and in proportion to the student population.

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