FROM THE HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL DR. LIZ DAVIS
Innovation & Leadership in Action During the 2024-25 school year, Alta Vista Middle School introduced several exciting initiatives designed to strengthen academic engagement, leadership, and community connection. We launched a hybrid block schedule which includes 45 minute periods 3 days a week and longer, 80 minute periods, once a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays. This new schedule was designed by a middle school committee, piloted extensively and included feedback from both teachers and students. This reflects our commitment to thoughtful, community-driven change. The new block schedule led to the creation of Flex Time, held once or twice a month during Wednesday community blocks. This new initiative allowed students to explore affinity groups, participate in community service, or engage in Academic Cafés—spaces for academic support and enrichment. Students enjoyed the freedom to choose and rotate offerings, making Flex Time both purposeful and personalized. Parent-teacher conferences also saw a major change this year, transitioning from student-led conferences to meeting time for parents with all of their student’s teachers. This shift supported meaningful connections between families and teachers. Student leadership thrived, highlighted by a joyful Winter Festive Event featuring music, dancing, and games for the entire middle school. Engineering challenges were
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