Frontier Middle School

Through a shared decision process, Frontier is dedicated to creating a community of learners involving students, parents, staff and the community, where each is continually challenged to achieve his or her potential. At Frontier, each child’s learning day is divided into four blocks of study: Problem Solving Block (math, health, wellness and physical education; Literacy Block (language arts, science and social studies with the aligned infusion of careers and vocational education and fine and visual arts); Elective/Extensions Block (enrichment and/or remediation in reading, writing and/or math; musical performance; or Basic Learning Strategies (for students with IEPs); and an Exploratory Block (a wide variety of course offerings throughout the school year, such as advanced studies, foreign language, service learning, intramurals/activities, and school-sponsored clubs).

Frontier Middle School’s collaborative culture consists of two co-principals, 26 certified classroom teachers, seven special education teachers supported by 11 instructional assistants, and an office, custodial and cafeteria staff. An administrative manager, campus supervisor, behavior interventionist, learning lab teacher, refocus room coordinator, social worker, school psychologist, a Central Wyoming Counseling Center counselor, and a school nurse all to provide safety and foster the physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs of FMS students. Students who need additional support to meet the state standards have access to five certified tutors. The digital environment is 1:1 laptop computing, which is maintained by the three Media Center staff members. In addition, three instructional facilitators collaborate with teachers to facilitate a coaching cycle where teachers share and model best teaching practices and teaching strategies.

Frontier Middle School features a program grounded in the principles of the middle school concept, with students helping to develop the essential questions of learning. They apply 21st Century Skills through project-based learning to demonstrate achievement and mastery. Today’s digital kids benefit from learning within a technology rich environment that facilitates global interactions, equity and higher-order thinking. Every student and teacher is provided an Apple laptop, and access to the school network is available 24/7. A flexible schedule within each block ensures quality instruction time based on student learning needs and allows for safe, purposeful movement throughout the school day. FMS teachers and students are members of academic teams promoting smaller learning communities where emphasis is placed on building relationships and enhancing school-home communication. Frontier Middle School uses the Understanding by Design (UbD) framework of lesson design to support integration of the performance standard and technology in order to improve student achievement. Performance Standards, Essential Curriculum and PAWS Descriptions are the cornerstones of unit planning. Students on an IEP are fully included in the general education environment to the extent that is determined appropriate by their IEP team.

Based on student interests, students will have the opportunity for after-school sports (basketball, cross country, football, skiing, track and field, volleyball and wrestling) and school-sponsored activities (TSA, Lego Robotics, History Day, Math Bowl, and Science Fair). Students also may participate in a variety of activities, clubs and sports during the school day, as well as participate in regular health, wellness, or physical activities. Students will meet with an advisor/Home Den teacher daily to provide each with continuous guidance within the context of a supportive and stable peer group. Students experience service-learning activities through a teaching and learning approach that integrates community involvement with academic study to enrich learning, teach civic responsibility and strengthen the community.

Parents’ participation in the life of the school and their children’s schoolwork is strongly encouraged. Families are an integral part of a democratic, empowering culture. In partnership with staff, families and community members, we work together to provide the strong foundation that all middle grade students need to be successful. Essential Learning Nights and parent/teacher/student conferences are held to inform parents about their child and the FMS community. A monthly calendar is distributed and teams send out weekly communication. Parents are encouraged come to the monthly parent advisory team luncheons, as well as be members of the TEAM, TECH, School Improvement and BEST Schoolwide Discipline Steering Teams. The entire school community is in the pursuit of high academic achievement and bright futures for all young adolescents.