WELCOME TO WARWICK VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL!

The Warwick Valley Middle School is one of Orange County, New York’s premiere schools! Warwick students achieve some of the highest New York State Assessment scores while taking advantage of a full array of extracurricular activities, sports, and community service projects. Our highly-qualified faculty members are committed to academic excellence and positive programs for youth development.

The Building Principal leads the Middle School, with the support of one Assistant Principal, three Guidance Counselors, a School Psychologist, a School Social Worker, and a School Nurse.

Our school opens its doors to approximately 980 students in grades six, seven and eight each day. All of our students and teachers are organized into teams to provide smaller learning communities within our larger school. There are four mini-teams in grade six, and three full-teams in both grades seven & eight. Our class sizes average 22 - 27 students per class. One team on the seventh grade level and one on the eighth are “looping teams”. Students placed on a looping team in seventh grade will loop with the same core-academic teachers for eighth grade.

All students are enrolled in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, and Unified Arts classes. Sixth-grade students’ schedules rotate to offer blocks of instruction for academic subjects. In the seventh and eighth grades, students follow a 40-minute, nine-period day. Students are enrolled in two years of Foreign Language. We currently offer Spanish, French, and/or Mandarin Chinese. Students experience “Unified Arts” classes that may include Art, Music, Technology, Home & Careers, Health and Computers. Each grade level benefits from a 40-minute Advisory period. The first ten minutes of Advisory is DEAR time (Drop Everything And Read). After that, students may receive extra help, make-up tests, work on homework, attend music lessons or receive other services.

The Middle School also offers “honors” classes in 7th grade Mathematics, and 8th grade English, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies to those students who qualify for this level of instruction. Special Needs and Section 504 students receive a variety of services and/or accommodations outlined in their educational plans. We also provide assistance to students under Academic Intervention Services for Language Arts and Mathematics.

Student lunches are divided by grade level periods. Lunch is in the cafeteria and students are offered a wide variety of choices. Students afford the privilege of having recess for half of their lunch period where they can socialize, participate in organized games or play independently in either the gym or fields (depending on the weather).

We encourage students to become involved in extra-curricular activities, and offer many clubs, intramurals and sports for their participation. We have a Student Senate, Drama Club, Band, Chorus, and Orchestra at all grade levels. On the school web site you will find a full listing of clubs and activities offered this year. Students must remain in good academic standing to be eligible to participate.

Parents are welcome in the Middle School and are encouraged to join the PTA and attend monthly meetings. Parent involvement that begins at home by checking homework and helping with study routines has proven to be a key component for student success. We promote open lines of communication between home and school through conferences, notes, phone call and emails.

We hope you find this handbook a useful tool. It includes telephone numbers, school holidays, school information, and Code of Conduct requirements. Please read and review this handbook with your child at home. Teachers will review the handbook during the first few days of school, and student orientations will also be held for all students in September. Thank you.

MIDDLE SCHOOL START AND END TIMES

Middle School begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:10 p.m.

The early dismissal time for Middle School is 10:20 a.m.