Why Oceanside Middle School is a school of high distinction

Only 11 schools nationwide were selected to be a 2023 School of Distinction by the Association for Middle-Level Education and Oceanside Middle School was among those who were recognized. The middle school completed a rigorous review process that measured its implementation of best practices and continuous improvement plans. While adolescents most certainly need a rigorous and comprehensive, academic experience They also really need this sense of community and the relationships that they experienced at the elementary school level which is what Allison Glickman-Rogers, the school’s principal, says they provide.

“They need to find that sense of belonging here at school,” she said. “They need to make connections and have relationships and that all comes before students can access the academics of school.”

The school’s student organizational structure is based on teaming. About 120 students share the same English, Social Studies, Math and science teachers and school counselor. All students are part of a team and ‘loop’ with their team for two years which guarantees that students have a “small school” feeling within the middle school and creates a sense of community between their fellow students but also with teachers and students’ families.

“It allows students to get to know each other and the better people know each other, the kinder they are and that helps promote empathy, a safe and caring school community, but also allows adults to get to know students and their families so they can best meet their needs,” said Glickman-Rogers.

Glickman-Rogers also cited the Middle School’s Advisory Daily initiative. A small group of students from both 7th and 8th grade and a teacher participate in service-learning projects. “We have a really good connection with all of our teachers, and everyone is friendly and helps each other,” said student Isabella Delgado.

AMLE’s Schools of Distinction program recognizes exemplary schools and supports them through a process of strategic vision setting to help foster ongoing growth and success.

“I really can never imagine teaching in any other school,” said social studies teacher Eric Simonson, who has worked at the Middle School for five years. “The feeling of a family and community that you get in this building.”

The school also boasts a group guidance program where a group of students connect with the same counselor for two years, and attend a group guidance session once every six days The sessions promote self-awareness, social awareness, responsible decision-making, communication skills, and goal setting.

“I love group guidance,” said student Ava Lopez. “It’s like a very safe place. And the everyday activities are fun. In the end, you just feel very open, and everyone understands you.”

While the students are learning, the counselor can establish a rapport with the students, which makes the students much more comfortable to seek out their counselor when they need to, and the kids can see their counselors regularly.

“These are hallmarks of this middle school, and we’re so grateful to the support of the community and our Board of Education who will stand by these structures,” said Glickman-Rogers. “Teaming and looping, group guidance and advisory, all of these things are created and facilitated to give our kids exactly what they need during these adolescent years because they need to be in this type of supportive environment as they transition from the elementary school, which is a very big transition.”

Middle School students receive a 42-minute lunch period that includes recess and student activities at recess just continue to improve, with basketball courts, picnic tables, and outdoor backyard games for kids.

“We have a lot of fun and I think that’s where we really build the community here,” said teacher Mike DeMarco. “I think that’s what makes this worthy of a school of distinction because all these kids have an adult in the building that they trust, they can go to, they can talk to if things are not going so great and we do a lot of community building to get to that point.”