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The impressive 3-story school facility at 1900 N. Rockton Avenue was completed in 1940 by the Federal Works Agency, Public Works Administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The building served high school students from 1940-1989. The site was converted to serve middle school students in the fall of 1989. The facility, while needing some updating, enters its 70th year as solid and secure as the day it was dedicated.
The students of West have been taught, coached, and mentored by a caring and dedicated group of faculty and staff through the years. They have been supported by active parental and community participation. The partnership between students, staff, parents, and community has brought many great accomplishments – from winning State Basketball Championships in the 1950s to State Scholastic Bowl Championships in recent years. And, the friends of west¸ an august group of alumni from West High School have dedicated a perpetual Memorial Garden in the front area of the school to honor the noble veterans who graduated from West and have served our country. The lessons and accomplishments of the past serve to offer guidance and inspiration to West Middle School as it enters its 21st year.
West Middle School is committed to academic achievement and positive development in an environment of mutual dignity and respect. There are many initiatives underway to help all students meet or exceed Illinois Learning Standards, as measured by the annual Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). A detailed timeline of some of the plans is available in the School Improvement Plan (SIP), which was approved by the Rockford Board of Education in December 2008. Key components of the plan to continually improve achievement and development are:
• Response to Intervention (RtI) Plan Implementation – This is an initiative that provides targeted assistance to students who are identified through periodic assessments. The assistance may include before or after school tutoring, specially designed semester-based intervention groups that target specific learning standards, lessons on computers on the Internet, and/or other school-based support activities.
• School Improvement Plan – The SIP provides a two-year plan to improve teaching and learning so that students meet or exceed Illinois Learning Standards in Mathematics and Reading.
• School Improvement Process – This is a method in which teachers, clustered in grade-level teams, frequently review data, research potential remedies to deficits, and work together to implement strategies to improve learning, teaching, and school climate.
• Orderly classrooms – We believe all students have the right to learn in a classroom that is safe, secure, friendly, and without distractions. The school started implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) in August 2008. PBIS is a program that is actively encouraged by the Illinois State Board of Education as an excellent framework for creating a positive and productive school environment. West’s PBIS implementation is supported by Rockford Public Schools’ PBIS Coach. PBIS is utilized in conjunction with the District’s Discipline Code, which specifies offenses and consequences. It is important to note that the vast majority of students in RPS205 never receive a Discipline Referral!
• School Uniforms – An overwhelming majority of parents and faculty voted during the 2008-2009 school year to have students wear uniforms starting with the 2009-2010 school year. The goal is an increased focus on academic achievement and less time spent on clothing issues. Full details of grade-level specific uniforms are available here: (link coming soon).
• Parental Involvement – Students need the consistent and active involvement and support of their parents/guardians. West Middle School also benefits when parents are involved in the education and development of their child. Here are some ideas on how you can support your child’s growth: (link coming soon).
• Mentoring – a variety of mentors and mentoring activities support West’s students. Some of the current groups and activities are found here: (link coming soon).
• Small Groups – West’s Student Support Team works with a wide array of community agencies to provide our students with support for specific needs.
• Social Work –Students and their families find much help through West’s Social Worker, Ms. Solon-Goers.
• Counseling – Students are provided one-on-one counseling services for personal educational needs and class-based Career Awareness Activities by West’s counselors, Ms. McGuire and Ms. Roberts.
• Lessons and Modeling – Teachers continue to develop their professional skills through formal training and collaborative work to improve their teaching practices to better meet the needs of their students for engaged learning activities that are supported by data-driven decision making.
• Activities (extra-curricular) – West Middle School offers many activities to meet students’ needs and interests. 2009-2010 activities include: (link coming soon).
• A fully certified, Highly Qualified faculty – all of West’s teachers meet the highest standards outlined by the No Child Left Behind law and the Illinois State Board of Education.
All of West’s administrative team meet the same high standards. West Middle School is led by Dr. Thomas Schmitt, Principal, Ms. Alex Brewington, Assistant Principal – 6th grade, Mr. Matt Zediker, Assistant Principal – 7th grade, and Mr. Brian Jones - Assistant Principal – 8th grade.
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