Mead Middle School

Mission Statement
"Mead Middle School will ensure high academic growth
as we prepare each student for the next level within a
safe and orderly environment. "

Vision Statement
"Mead Middle School will be a place where students 'Choose to Go' and not a 'School of Choice." Mead Middle school students, in all demographic groups, will show growth in all academic areas."

The ABC's of Mead
The ABC's of Mead (our values) reads as follows:
At Mead Middle School we will...

Achieve a quality learning environment founded on high expectations. Build positive relationships through respect and accountability.

Create and maintain a safe and orderly environment that is filled with hopeful opportunities.

Building Relationships

PLC (Professional Learning Community), we, the staff at Mead, value and support the mission of our school. We are committed to maximizing student improvement through:

• Engaging Classroom Instruction
• Assessment and Data Analysis
• Strategies and Interventions
• Persistence and Perseverance
• Professional Growth Opportunities

Parameters:

• Opportunities will be provided for all students to achieve district and state standards.

School Improvement Plan 

• Reading: students will demonstrate improvement in reading comprehension.
• Writing: students will demonstrate improvement in effective written communication.
• Math: students will improve achievement in math reasoning, communication and problem-solving skills across the curriculum.

Each school has a site council, which is a group of parents, community members, business representatives, teachers and other school staff. Site councils identify, consider and discuss educational problems and issues at the school. Councils provide advice and counsel for evaluating state, school district and school site performance goals and objectives. Councils may also recommend methods that may be employed at the school site to meet these goals and objectives.

Contact the Mead Main Office for exact Site Council meeting day, time and location information: 973-8500.

Mead is a neighborhood school that encourages individual student growth through academic classes, daily exploratory classes.

• Mead has an active After-School Recreation program that offers tutoring; activities such as crafts, models or drama; trips to the YMCA; bowling; and roller-skating.
  
• Other opportunities at Mead include instrumental music, choir, physical education, art, and computers.
  

Mead is a neighborhood school that encourages individual student growth through academic classes, daily exploratory classes, and by providing new and innovative programs, including:

• JROTC leadership development
• Enlarged and improved ESOL classes - strengthening English speaking skills
• Student discussion groups
• Student council/leadership

Learning Climate:

• Committed, supportive and collaborative teachers
• High expectations and academic standards for all students
• Rigorous and challenging instruction
• Inter-disciplinary teaming

Learning Communities:
Each community has a resource teacher, who provides on-going assistance to teachers and students, and:

• Targets individual student needs and improving student achievement
• Facilitates weekly staff development (sharing data, strategies,) etc.
• Provides student behavioral and academic support/intervention
• Cultivates relationships with parents and community
• Helps to link standards, curriculum, and assessments to reality

Facilities:

• New library, new computer lab, and student support areas; 6 new classrooms and 2 new science labs
• All classrooms with heating and air conditioning
• New science classrooms with labs and personal palm pilots
• Network and Internet access in all classrooms

After-school program:
Mead has a structured and actively attended after-school recreation program that provides:

• Tutoring - individualized and group
• Technology - focus on computer skills and newsletter writing
• Recreation - arts/crafts
• Community service
• Local/recreational field trips to the YMCA, bowling, skating rink, museums, etc.
• Math Labs
• Extreme Reading
• Advisory time

After-school sports and fitness programs:

• Cross country
• Volleyball
• Basketball
• Track

Mead School opened in September 1952 with an enrollment of 523. The principal, Paul B. Rider, 24 teachers and 10 support staff members greeted the students. Dedication was held March 15, 1953. Dr. Wade Fowler was superintendent of schools and the featured speaker at the dedication services.

Enrollment rose steadily to 930, and new facilities had to be added to meet the needs. Fourteen rooms and supporting facilities were added in 1954. In 1957, the cafeteria and kitchen were enlarged. By 1969, the enrollment had leveled off to 900 and in subsequent years gradually decreased to around 700.

James R. Mead was one of the leading pioneers of Kansas and of Wichita. While a state senator, he met with Governor Crawford and others to select the site for the City of Wichita. He was greatly interested in the development of Wichita and gave liberally to many worthwhile public enterprises. He donated land for many early-day church and school sites in Wichita.

In the fall of 1988, all ninth graders were moved to high schools leaving seventh and eighth graders. In the fall of 1989, all junior high schools became middle school (6-8). Anecdote: Rachel Freeman was a member of the last ninth grade class at Mead and her father Wally Freeman was a member of the first ninth grade class of 1953.

In 1982 and 1983, alterations were made to the library and office. When lockers were replaced in 1991, baggies with notes and artifacts were placed behind the new lockers on second floor.

From A History of Wichita Public School Buildings, c 1997