Upton Middle School
|
800 Maiden Lane
St. Joseph, Michigan 49085 |
Main Office: (269) 926-3400
FAX: (269) 926-3403 |
Mission Statement: "Upton Middle School promotes excellence in each individual - intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally."
Welcome to Upton Middle School.
Our student body is comprised of 695 sixth, seventh and eighth
graders. The curriculum is broad-based and consists of the four
regular core classes - English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies,
and Mathematics. In addition, advanced classes are offered in Science
and Math. We also offer elective classes in Life Management,
Industrial Arts, Art, Computers, Physical Education, Careers, Health,
and Music. Upton Middle School is the only middle school in Berrien
County to have a Planetarium.
Our students’
scores on the state MEAP tests are always in the top 5 – 10%
statewide. Upton Middle School annually earns an "A" from the
Department of Education and is one of only a very few that have
received an "A" since the program's inception. Students’ art work is
displayed at local galleries and downtown. Upton Middle School wins
more awards at Art Shows than any other middle school in the area.
This past year, one of our students won first place in a national
competition for her work in digital imaging.
Our award winning stringed instrument program
includes three orchestras, one for each grade level. Upton's Division
I band program also features a band at each grade level. Our
orchestras, bands, and our 8th grade choir receive Division I ratings
regularly at competitions. The students also win many individual
awards at solo and ensemble competitions. This past school year, six
stringed students earned All State honors and were invited to play in the all-state orchestra.
The Upton MathCounts team routinely wins its regional competition and continues its participation at the state level. Our Science Olympiad
team also won its most recent regional competition and participated at
the state level. Upton students have recently placed first in the
county Spelling Bee, moving on to the competition in Washington, D.C.;
and building winners of the National Geographic Geography Bee have
qualified to compete at the state level which is limited to the top 100
contestants state-wide.
Upton students
truly are high achievers. More than half of our students earn Honor
Roll status, and half of our students earn Citizenship Honors. Our
community holds high expectations for its children's performance
academically and behaviorally. At Upton Middle School, they achieve
both.
Our
accomplished, certified teaching staff is 41 strong. Eighty percent of
our teachers have earned Masters degrees, while the rest are currently
working on them. We also have three teacher's aides. We provide six
in-service days of training each year for teachers and aides. Our
Professional Development team and our School Improvement team annually
assess our students’ needs, target areas of concern, and develop
training for the teachers at these in-service days. Our teachers are
caring individuals who talk frequently with the students, with each
other, and with the counselors and administrators. The teachers
participate in our silent mentoring program. We have two guidance
counselors and a social worker on staff. We have a nurse in the
building for two hours every day.
We sponsor
multiple athletic teams. Our seventh and eighth graders compete with
local schools in football, cross country, basketball, track,
volleyball, and wrestling. We also offer several booster club
activities. We have a rubberized track, tennis courts, soccer fields,
and two large gymnasiums. We also offer a variety of non-athletic clubs
for students to experience.
Our students,
staff, and parents all take great pride in Upton Middle School’s
successes. We welcome you to share in that pride.
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