Crossroads Middle School
Built in 1993, Crossroads Middle School remains the largest of three middle schools in the West Shore School District and services approximately 710 students. Located on Fishing Creek Road, Crossroads’ students arrive from Newberry, Red Mill, and Fishing Creek Elementary Schools and these same students progress through Red Land High School.
Crossroads Middle School provides an opportunity for all young adolescents to become successful students now and in their future endeavors. By maintaining high expectations for all students, our school promotes appropriate standards and guidelines for these young adults to achieve goals and strive for excellence. The philosophy of our middle school evolves from the basic principles established by the National Middle School Association’s booklet, “This We Believe: Developmentally Responsive Middle Level Schools.” The philosophy defines the true meaning of middle school and the young learner by recognizing that all students should acquire the skills to become good citizens by maturing into caring, healthy, reflective adults. Most importantly, Crossroads implements a curricular program that is diverse and developmentally responsive for all of our students. We believe to reach our students, we must provide an atmosphere of trust and opportunities where all students and staff can feel secure and confident as they work together to explore new ideas and learn new skills for a brighter future.
In order to accomplish these pursuits, our teachers, administrators, and support staff work to improve student achievement by developing programs or activities that promote learning on a variety of levels. Examples of higher level thinking opportunities within the classroom include hands-on science experiments, cross-curricular social studies and language arts activities, and discovering the reasoning behind mathematical algorithms. Supplementing these learning opportunities are our Student Assistance Team focused on academic and social/behavioral issues respectively, our Student Council, and our Builders’ Club, which is associated with Kiwanis International. These programs help students accept personal responsibility for their efforts and assist them to make good quality choices by involving them in the decision making process whenever possible.
Our teaching staff develops hand-on projects and interdisciplinary units. Curriculum is explored through active involvement by the students in all phases of the lesson. Cross curricular lessons involving two or more subject areas come to life due to the ability of teachers to plan collaboratively. This reinforcement of lessons within multiple subjects increases the students’ awareness and understanding of the topic. The entire school works together to provide a positive experience for all students.
Options for our students include an extensive music program with band, chorus, and orchestra; two dimensional and three dimensional art; remediation; Student Council; Builder’s Club; and other exploratory courses designed to enhance the overall educational experience.
The middle school concept extends beyond the boundaries of the building. Proactive parent involvement with the teachers is critical in ensuring opportunities for success for our students. Additionally, community “Partners in Education” provide materials, information, and time for our students.
The Crossroads Middle School community provides positive opportunities for our students to develop and mature through their ever-changing adolescent years. Valued as individuals, students make the dynamic transition from elementary to high school in a safe, caring, and respectful environment.