AVONDALE MIDDLE SCHOOL Mr. Dannon Holley, Principal Mr. David Goetz, Assistant Principal

March, 2016 Dear Parents and Community Members: We are pleased to present you with the Annual Education Report (AER) which provides key information on the 2014-15 educational progress for the Avondale Middle School. The AER addresses the complex reporting information required by federal and state laws. The school’s report contains information about student assessment, accountability, and teacher quality. If you have any questions about the AER, please contact Avondale Middle School’s staff for assistance. The AER is available for you to review electronically by visiting the MI School Data website. You may also review a copy in the main office at AMS. For 2015-2016, AMS transitioned off the Focus list due to gains made in closing the achievement gap between the top 30% of highest achieving students and the bottom 30% of lowest achieving students across the tested subjects (mathematics, reading, science, social studies and writing; as appropriate for the school grade levels tested). We will continue to strive to increase proficiency and close achievement gaps identified by state and local assessments. Our biggest challenges are in closing our achievement gaps. Gaps exist between our Economically Disadvantaged students, English Language Learners and our Special Education students as compared to their counterparts. In relationship to the MStep we exceeded state averages in every area except 7th grade ELA. We will continue to actively address the schools issues by:    

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Making a focused effort to provide academic intervention for all students demonstrating academic skills below grade-level. Providing academic enrichment for students mastering grade-level content. Read to Learn is a compilation of strategies which focuses on comprehension efforts across the curriculum. Inquiry Thinking- Visible Thinking Routines-Teachers will use a variety of strategies and routines within the classroom to help students develop a common language for thinking and strive for a deeper understanding. Teachers will continue to learn about the use of differentiation strategies for classroom instruction that lead to increase learning for students at all levels of learning. 1445 West Auburn Road ● Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309 ● (248) 537-6300 ● Fax (248) 537-6305 E-mail: [email protected] ● [email protected] [email protected]

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Professional Development provided to all staff in the areas of engagement of atrisk students.

State law requires that we also report additional information. 1. Process for assigning students to the school: Avondale Middle School is the only Middle School within the district. We accept students from four elementary schools throughout the district (Woodland, Deerfield, Graham and Auburn). Avondale Middle School also has several Schools of Choice students as part of Avondale’s limited Schools of Choice offerings. The district has opened 78 Schools of Choice seats for next school year. 2. Status of the 3-5 Year School Improvement Plan: Avondale Middle School, along with the Avondale School District, has received district accreditation from AdvancED. We are engaged in a 3-5 year improvement process aligned with the district strategic plan and improvement goals. Our current focus is to improve proficiency in reading (specifically informational text), writing in the content areas (claim/support), and alignment of math curriculum. These have been our focus for the past two years. AMS’s plan can be reviewed on our building website at www.avondaleschools.org. 3. Core Curriculum: Core Curriculum is defined as those educational outcomes that are important for all students to attain as they progress through school. The Michigan Department of Education provides an academic core curriculum that specifies the standards, benchmarks, and content expectations at each grade level and content area K-12. We follow the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Math and GLCEs for Science and Social Studies. The Avondale School District strives to provide all students with a comprehensive curriculum consistent with the State of Michigan’s core curriculum that meets their diverse needs and prepares them for a productive future. Information on the core curriculum is available at www.mi.gov/mde or in our school office. 4. Achievement Testing: For the past two years, all Avondale 6th-8th grade students take the Star Math and Reading Assessment. This standardized assessment is given three times a year and data is used to drive instructional practices. New for this year all 8th grade students took the PSAT. Please click the following link and select Avondale Middle School to access our progress: www.avondaleschools.org 5. Parent-Teacher Conference Data: Parent involvement is seen as a crucial component to a child’s success. Each fall, teachers meet with parents during the designated Conference Schedule. If a parent is unable to attend, efforts are made with parents either at an alternate time or through phone conference. During the 2015-2016

1445 West Auburn Road ● Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309 ● (248) 537-6300 ● Fax (248) 537-6305 E-mail: [email protected] ● [email protected] [email protected]

school year, approximately 56% of families were represented during the conference time. The strength of Avondale Middle School is found in our ability to build relationships with all stakeholders, which starts for students in our Roundup classes (character education). As a community of diverse learners, we are focused on the successes of all students as we prepare them for the world of tomorrow. Sincerely,

Dannon R. Holley Dannon R. Holley Principal Avondale Middle School 1445 W. Auburn Rd. Rochester Hills, MI 48309

1445 West Auburn Road ● Rochester Hills, Michigan 48309 ● (248) 537-6300 ● Fax (248) 537-6305 E-mail: [email protected] ● [email protected] [email protected]