The change in structure and philosophy has been an evolving process since 1988. The traditional departmental structure was changed into a team approach. There are six grade level teams, two per grade, for students in grades six through eight, and an arts and physical education team who teach all of the students in the school. The community is committed to the outstanding middle school program, and our students' scores continue to be among the top in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland. In addition to core courses in math, English, science, and world studies, each student takes physical education daily.
Sixth graders take reading and an arts rotation of elective experiences.
All seventh and eighth grade students take a foreign language, and the arts rotation in seventh grade and an arts elective in the eighth grade. Our schedule is designed to encourage teams to use blocks of time to accomplish their enriching and exciting curriculum of theme based interdisciplinary units which continue to evolve and improve every year. Our SED students are encouraged and invited to participate in all school activities. We are in a growth period, and anticipate growing from 560 students in 1993 to 850 students in 1998. Our parents are actively involved in the school as volunteers, tutors, coordinators, mentors, and community advocates for the school.