Submitted by Ryan Arnold, Principal of Madison Junior High School in MSAD 59.
Madison Junior High school staff, students, administration and parents work together to create a productive, positive, and rewarding atmosphere in which our students will learn and grow. We work hard to create lasting memories through quality learning experiences and special events.
We offer hands on learning experience through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Projects. We have a Life Skills program where students, among other things, learn to cook, and sell meals to staff. Our New Alternative Ed Program (Kennebec Valley Multiple Pathways Academy) students (grades 7-9) learn about sustainability from growing to preparing food. Some of the food that is grown helps supply our food pantry and lunch program. Our School Pantry provides food for over 40 families each month. Students, also, have opportunities to be part of many extra-curricular programs. We offer soccer, football, softball, baseball, basketball, wrestling, drama, 100 mile club, track and field, cross country, golf, chorus, band, ukulele club, math team.
Students are offered: Math, Science, Social Studies, ELA, Music, Physical Education, and Art. As 8th graders, the opportunities expand to Health, Industrial Arts and JMG (Jobs for Maine Grads). We are very strong in the integration of technology in all classes. Every classroom in our building, is fortunate to have a SMART Board and projector. All students are provided (1 to 1) with laptops. We have created an innovation lab with color printers, 3D Printers, 3D pens, sphero’s for programming and coding, and 3D goggles for virtual tours.
Our staff is organized into departments to build consistency around curriculum and content standards. Every 4 teachers form a Student Assistance Team (SAT) who meet and discuss needs of individual students. The team, using the RTI (Response To Intervention) process, develop interventions to help students progress. We have a morning homework club, After School Academic Period (ASAP), and WIN Time (What I Need), to help students keep up with their progress and pace.
Outside of academic and co-curricular activities we provide students with special events to support our classrooms. Starting with assemblies to show case student achievement, job fairs, blood drives, food drives, cake walk, science fair, history day, spelling bee, geography bee, guest speakers, visits to the State Capital, Cole Transportation Museum, Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI), as well as local businesses and area landmarks.
Lastly, parents, teachers, secretaries, nurses, custodians, and other critical support staff have been diligently working to make Madison Junior High a safe, and a welcoming environment. We are all part of a unified family working hard to ensure the well-being of all children while providing them with a challenging and rewarding educational experience.