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. High-performing schools with middle grades are socially equitable. They seek to keep their students' future options open. They have high expectations for all their students and are committed to helping each child produce work of high quality. These schools make sure that all students are in academically rigorous classes staffed by experienced and expertly prepared teachers.