Through a purposeful transformation that places student success at the heart of every decision, Meridian Middle School (MMS) has seen consistent gains in academic performance and student engagement.
One of the most visible signs of progress is in academic achievement.
State test scores (Smarter Balanced Assessment) in both math and English language arts (ELA) have steadily increased over the past four years. This upward trend reflects the school’s commitment to core academics and strategic support systems. The proficiency in both 6th grade English and 6th grade math has risen by more than 20 percent, with English proficiency surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
At the heart of this growth are the collaborative teacher teams, who use the Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work model to drive continuous improvement in instruction and student learning. Each team has a strong teacher leader who are themselves coached and led by Assistant Principal Jill Hammack. Teacher teams regularly check their students’ progress. This constant review allows them to sharpen their teaching methods and design specific plans to support students who need extra help.
An important component of supporting this work is the WIN (What I Need) program. WIN provides dedicated time for students to receive personalized academic support, whether they are mastering math concepts or strengthening reading skills. Teachers collaborate across subjects, with social studies supporting reading and science supporting math, to identify students who need extra help and to match instruction to student needs. Students work in small groups or one-on-one with teachers during WIN time, building confidence and engagement.
Just as WIN supports academic growth, the Meridian Mindset cultivates the positive school culture that makes high-quality learning possible. The Meridian Mindset are behavior expectations built on four traits: caring, courageous, trustworthy and open-minded. Principal Robert Kratzig has led the effort to reframe behavior expectations. Students are recognized with award cards when they demonstrate the mindset traits, which are celebrated in morning announcements and displayed proudly. Each grade level also sets weekly goals for behavior referrals, with student-designed rewards for meeting those goals.
The effectiveness of these efforts is evident in improved attendance rates, which had dropped dramatically across the state following the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021–22, the first full year after the pandemic, only two-thirds of students attended at least 90% of the school year. By 2024–25, that figure had climbed to over 80%. This improvement is no accident. It is the result of deliberate efforts to build a positive school culture and a sense of collective responsibility among students and staff. The belief that all students can (and will!) learn at high levels is a shared mindset among all staff.
Through intentional programs like WIN and a shared commitment to the Meridian Mindset, Meridian Middle School is creating a school where belonging fuels excellence and every student is supported to learn, achieve and thrive.