Introduction to Jefferson Middle School

The largest middle school in the Champaign district, Jefferson's student population embodies most of the urban problems of today, including family, self-esteem, and literacy issues. The school has twice been selected as a demonstration site for the Association of Illinois Middle-Level Schools and was a finalist for the 1997 Schools of Excellence Award. Jefferson's academic performance shows great improvement, with eighth graders showing significant gains over incoming sixth graders, especially in math, reading, and science reasoning.

In its 20-year history, Jefferson has had 13 principals and more than its share of ups and downs. It was reportedly the worst middle school in the district until four years ago, when Dr. Carol Stack took over as principal. One teacher said that the pre-Stack environment was such that friends told her to wear a bulletproof vest to work, but now teachers and students choose to be at the school, and the environment is warm and welcoming. The superintendent said that under previous principals, he would never have sent his children to Jefferson; now he would be glad to.

Dr. Stack came to Jefferson with three major goals: To improve academics, better the school climate, and increase parent participation.

I wanted the staff to see the big picture of everything that was out there. We needed to be conscious of that, but we needed to be really focused and narrow down what was going to be manageable. So our school improvement plan the first year was really an awareness of what needed to be improved in each of these three areas.

In the second year, the staff and Dr. Stack arrived at specific goals in all three areas, which have driven the school ever since. In academic achievement, the staff are striving to improve reading. In the area of school climate, they have focused on reducing discipline referrals and the suspension rate. In parent involvement, they have chosen to work on strengthening the PTSA, hoping to use that as a springboard for other kinds of parent involvement.

The result of four years of dedication to school improvement is a school that feels good about itself. Students say that the principal doesn't stay in her office but is frequently seen around the school "smiling" and talking to students. They say that the teachers smile too, which makes the students believe that the teachers really like the school. Students listed six specific things that help them do their best:

• The teachers help all students. It's an equal opportunity place.

• Teachers will stay after school if you need them to help you.

• You have to earn an A, but you can always get help if you need it.

• We have a counselor for each grade that follows us around. She knows everybody's name, and you can always go and talk to her.

• If your work is not up to standard, you can redo it.

• They always let you know where you are. There are no surprises.

Students say: "Jefferson is a clean, organized, inviting place that is determined to have everyone do well."

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