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Jackson
10625 SW 35th AvenuePortland, OR 97219
View a map of the surrounding area
Phone: 503-916-5680
Fax: 503-916-2640
E-mail: jferraro@pps.k12.or.us
School-created web pages: http://www.jackson.pps.k12.or.us/
School-brochure: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools-c/profiles/brochure/Jackson.pdf
Grade levels: 6-8 MS
Principal: John Ferraro
Student Enrollment: 720
About:
A focus on intellectual curiosity, creativity and a strong academic curriculum distinguish Jackson Middle School as a Leonard Bernstein "Artful Learning" Leadership School. This approach is based on what good teachers already know: learning springs from engaging experience, children inquire when they are interested, they start to love learning when they actually create something and they begin to master subjects when they reflect thoughtfully on what they understand. Students, families and staff form a community dedicated to supporting this program and to meeting the diverse needs of early adolescence. Located in southwest Portland, Jackson provides students with access to the largest school library in the city, a fully equipped computer lab, science labs, a three-court gymnasium, a 600-seat auditorium, a regulation track, greenhouse and shop. Leadership opportunities, as well as opportunities to experience a cultural exchange with China, are offered as part of Jackson Middle School's program. Jackson's strong elective offerings give students choices in art, band, choir, film, drama, Spanish and other options. Building tours are led by the principal or assistant principal each Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., January through May. Call the school office at 503-916-5680 to sign up for a tour. An Informational Evening for parents of 5th-grade students is scheduled for Thursday, February 7, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Before and after school programs
- Jackson is a SUN Community School and offers an excitingselection of before and after school classes designed toenhance student and adult education.
- Jackson Club is a middle school before and after schoolchild care program managed by the Stephenson Child Care Association and is located at Jackson. Students are involvedin a variety of activities. Long- or short-term options areavailable, depending on family needs. The program is openfrom 7:00 to 9:00 each morning and until 6:00 pm afterschool. Contact Jackson Club staff for additionalinformation, including a fee schedule for this program, at503-313-1805.
Community partnerships
- McDonald's on Capitol Hwy.
- Sister school relationship with No. 10 Middle School in Suzhou, China (sister City of Portland).
Student learning environment
- Community awareness and involvement is a high priority.
- Jackson Middle School promotes appreciation of the pluralistic, multicultural nature of society and the increasing personal responsibility of students\' roles in supporting and appreciating diversity.
- Jackson\'s staff assist students in developing a positive self-concept, a sense of personal and social responsibility, cooperative behavior and sound decision-making skills.
- Jackson strives to achieve high academic standards for allstudents. All staff work cooperatively to support studentsin attaining state standards.
- Jackson Middle School operates under a philosophy thataddresses the unique developmental needs of students duringthe transitional ages of 11–14.
- Jackson Middle School is dedicated to providingopportunities for each child to learn in a safe andeducationally sound environment, fostering the social andemotional growth of students during this dynamic period ofpreadolescence.
Curriculum components
- Jackson Middle School is structured in grade-level interdisciplinary teams. Students are assigned to a team of teachers for their core curriculum: literature, language arts, social studies, integrated science and health and math. All students choose from a menu of elective courses that include Spanish, art, drama, band, shop, choir, PE, Chinese language and culture and film.
Staff
- In addition to Jackson\'s core subject teachers (literature, language arts, social studies, science, health and math), Jackson\'s staff includes teachers of instrumental and choral music; visual, dramatic and communication arts; a media specialist; and a counselor.
- Jackson\'s staff communicates on a regular basis to address
issues of curriculum development and student progress. - All teachers and administrators work with small groups of students who have not yet met the state benchmark in reading.
- A mentor program exists for Jackson\'s students who are at
risk in reading or math.
Parent and family support
- Parents, families and community members participate in PTA, Local School Advisory Committee (LSAC) and Jackson's Site Based Council.
- The volunteer program is an integral part of Jackson's PTA. The program coordinates the efforts of teachers, parents and community to reinforce the ties between them.
Special programs and features
- Jackson was selected as a Leonard Bernstein School in spring 1997. Grant funding of $30,000 a year for three yearsprovided teachers with training to implement curriculumunits using the \"artful learning\" concept. The programcontinues to thrive at Jackson, due in large part to parentswho raise the funds to continue the program each year.
- Nearly all staff members have received training and focus ondeveloping engaging curriculum by anchoring instruction inchallenging masterworks from multiple fields, emphasizingthe artistic process of experience, inquiry, creation andreflection as cornerstones of learning.
- Jackson\'s eighth-grade students begin the year studying interdependence and biodiversity in marine ecosystems. In the fall, students attend an overnight field trip to Newport, attending classes aboard a floating marine science classroom and at the Hatfield Marine Science Center. They also tour the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the Oregon Oyster Farm
and the US Coast Guard Station. Seventh-grade students participate in two full-day field trips to the Columbia River Gorge and to Mount St. Helens. Sixth-grade students attend Outdoor School for one week each year. In addition to grade-level field trips, individual teachers plan field trips throughout the year. Optional trips are available for students at all grade levels. Optional trips include a two-week visit to China, studying Spanish in Costa Rica or traveling to the East Coast of the United States.
- Students at Jackson may choose vocal, instrumental music or integrated arts. The art program is all-inclusive and focuses on drawing, painting, ceramics and sculpture. A
mural program is also offered for a select group of advanced art students in the eighth grade. Nearly half of Jackson\'s students participate in the choir or band programs. Instrumental and vocal music programs are held in the winter and spring in Jackson\'s auditorium.
Statistics and test scores
- Report cards and AYP Scores
Oregon Department of Education school report cards - School Enrollment and Program Data
- Standardized test scores
Course syllabus
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