Students learn to understand important concepts, develop essential skills, and apply what they learn to real-world problems. Adults in these schools maintain a rich academic environment by working with colleagues in their schools and communities to deepen their own knowledge and improve their practice. High-performing schools with middle grades are developmentally responsive. Such schools create small learning communities of adults and students in which stable, close, and mutually respectful relationships suppor t all students' intellectual, ethical, and social growth. They provide comprehensive services to foster healthy physical and emotional development.
Students have opportunities for both independent inquiry and learning in cooperation with others .
They have time to be reflective and numerous opportunities to make decisions about their learning. Dev elopmentally responsive schools involve families as partners in the education of their children. These schools are deeply rooted in their communities. Students have opportunties for active citizenship. T hey use the community as a classroom, and community members provide resources, connections, and active support.