In partnership with Home and Community, Elk Ridge Middle School will build:
Commitment to Learn, Confidence to Succeed, Courage to Make a Difference.

Date May 20, 2005

Communication - Students will use a variety of communication forms (oral, written, artistic, and graphic) in interdisciplinary curriculum. Students will increase technical and creative writing skills using a variety of presentations. Students will meet testing requirements in all core subject areas, including a demonstration of effective writing skills. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills including conflict resolution, non-verbal, verbal, and written skills. Students will reflect and evaluate their own learning based on diverse feedback from their teachers.
Student communication skills will be improved two percentage points on Language Arts testing and a cross curricular school wide quarterly writing assessment.

Collaboration (Group Work)- Students will be able to work with others in a variety of situations to set and achieve goals. Students will manage disagreement and conflict caused by a diversity of opinions and beliefs. Students will be able to participate in school projects that interface with and benefit community projects and efforts. Students will focus on increasing writing skills in every facet of their education.
Student collaboration skills will be improved through an increase of group projects in each subject by ten percent. Teacher collaboration will be recorded in department meeting logs to demonstrate effective collaboration.

Complex Thinking (Problem Solving) - Students will be able to clarify, organize and present information in written, visual, oral, and technological forms that may include charts, graphs, the written word, and other forms of communication. Students will be able to utilize, evaluate, and refine the use of multiple strategies to solve a variety of problems pertaining to academic, personal, and "real life" situations. Students will be able to generate new and creative ideas by taking considered risks in a variety of contexts. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of taking progressive classes that will directly improve critical thinking skills through the registration and completion of those classes.
Student critical thinking skills will be assessed through a new writing assessment in each subject area that gives problem situations which measures these skills. Students will be required to maintain a seventy percent mastery level.

Character Education (Citizenship)- Students will demonstrate trustworthiness in verbal, written, and behavioral communications with faculty, staff, and other students in order to build integrity. Students will demonstrate respect toward faculty, staff, and other students in verbal, written, and behavioral communications. Students will demonstrate responsible citizenship by adhering to school policies and standards.
Students will demonstrate responsible citizenship by maintaining an appropriate school environment. Students will model responsible citizenship as demonstrated by their behavior with faculty, staff, and peers.
Student character educational skills will be improved through an increase of students’ participation in at least five citizenship activities throughout the year. These activities include: service, community projects, school character educational assignments, and other projects designated by a specific administrator, teacher, or community leader.

Elk Ridge Middle School is located in the South Jordan area. Elk Ridge is dedicated to providing a meaningful academic, social, and emotional environment that promotes lifelong learning and character guidance. Elk Ridge operates on a nine-month calendar with school beginning at 7:55 a.m. and ending at 2:50 p.m.

Facts about Elk Ridge Middle School

• Elk Ridge Middle opened in 1994 and is an attractive, modern building completely accessible to handicapped students and fully air-conditioned. The school serves approximately 1300 students in the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades. The teacher/pupil ratio is 1 to 27.1 in seventh and eighth grades and 1 to 27.8 in ninth grade.
• The curriculum follows guidelines set by Jordan District and the Utah State Board of Education. In addition to basic subjects, students are offered a variety of classes in music, art, vocational education, and foreign language.
• Elk Ridge Middle School ’s school improvement plan includes character education and improved literacy. Character Education is taught in every class and is focused on school wide monthly values. Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) is a school wide literacy program. Each student reads for thirty minutes a day in a class based on a rotating schedule.
• In addition to keyboarding, business, and technology computer labs, Elk Ridge has three educational labs. An all-purpose computer lab is available for students and teachers. An Intel Wireless Lab is available for math and science classes. We are in the process of expanding the Math Lab capabilities to benefit our students even more. We also have an educational writing IMAX lab located near the media center. English, music, foreign language, and social studies classes use the writing lab for research projects and presentations.
• Our Media Center has 15,606 copies of 11,183 different titles. It is also connected to the writing lab, which is used for multimedia presentations and Internet research. The library catalog is on the Internet and is connected to the school web page.
• A qualified staff provides resource education for students who require a more individualized program of study. An honors program is provided for students who meet specified criteria. All staff members are certified to teach in their assigned area of expertise. All teachers and administrators are evaluated on a regular basis.
• Students are expected to maintain dress, attendance, and discipline standards. A hot lunch is provided daily. Students are offered several lunch choices in 5 different lines at a cost of $1.75
• Bus service is provided for students who live more than two miles from school. In addition, special bus service may be provided for students living along a hazardous walking route.
• The Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) and School Community Council meet regularly and provide continuous input regarding community needs and concerns and school improvement.
• Community volunteers are always welcome. Volunteers provide a variety of support services to the school. Volunteers are asked to contact the main office prior to coming to school (412-2800) or the PTSA president.
• Parents may visit the school at any time. All visitors are asked to check in at the office upon arrival. Visits from students who are enrolled in other schools are not encouraged.

We Proudly Note Elk Ridge:

• Maintains a monthly program to honor students who exhibit good citizenship skills and strive to do their best academically.
• Encourages student involvement and provides many opportunities for students to develop leadership ability.
• Implements school-wide positive behavior supports.
• Participates in science fairs, history fairs, instrumental and vocal festivals, and supports a variety of other activities to promote student growth, interest, and talent. We also support an active chapter of the National Junior Honor Society.

Assessment

• The Standard Achievement Test, 9 th Edition, (Stanford-9) is a general achievement test that provides a national comparison of students in the areas of reading, mathematics, language, science, and social science.
• The Utah Core Criterion-Referenced Tests (CRT) are developed by the Utah State Office of Education and Utah educators specifically to measure how well students have learned Utah’s Core Curriculum.
• Results may be accessed through the school Web site.