William H.

Farquhar Middle School

Located along a historic roadway in scenic northeastern Montgomery County, Farquhar Middle School promotes and exudes a collegial and familial atmosphere with the stated goal of achieving not only academic excellence but building character and citizenship in all its students. Students are congenial, curious, and from highly educated, professional families.

A personal approach
In a 2011-12 survey, students reported that Farquhar teachers listen to their ideas, were open to questions about homework, and were friendly and helpful. Its proof of the impact that forging relationships with students a school-wide mission has on the school atmosphere. Farquhar teachers take time to learn the personal stories of their students, sharing information with colleagues to make instruction more meaningful for all students. . Parents also are encouraged to take a front seat. Nearly all parents who responded to a school survey in 2011-12 reported that the school oers opportunities for parental involvement and a welcoming and communicative atmosphere. The result is an active Parent Teacher Association that has raised money for school technology, including a mobile laptop center with 36 laptops.

Photo of Farquhar Middle School taken by Alexandra R. Moses

William H. Farquhar Middle School 16915 Batchellors Forest Rd., Olney, MD 20832 Ph. 301-924-3100 Principal: Mrs. Diane D. Morris Students: 640 Grades: 6-8 Community: Rural Montgomery County

Academic rigor
Farquhar administrators and teachers also put advanced academics at the center of curriculum development. Students who wish to take advanced science can take an honors course in earth science and meet high school science credit requirements. The school also oers a rigorous English course for high school credit that challenges students with Shakespeare readings and a 3-4 hours per week homework load. The school improvement plan focuses on academic rigor, with plans to boost test scores for its African-American, Hispanic, and low-income students, through actions such as training on dierentiated instruction and identifying and addressing learning gaps through continued assessment. A collaborative atmosphere between teachers also drives academic success: More than 90 percent of teachers reported in a 2011-12 survey that they collaborate regularly with their colleagues (92 percent), that teachers use a variety of methods to help struggling learners (97 percent), and that teachers motivate their students to learn (97 percent). The results of Farquhars approach to education and its commitment to meeting the needs of students and the whole community of learners shows in its test scores. Farquhar has consistently met AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) under the No Child Left Behind act, and all of its teachers were deemed highly qualied in 2010. That year, 66% of seventh graders were at the advanced level on the MSA tests in reading, higher than the countywide average. Farquhars approach to education and its commitment to meeting the needs of the community creates an atmosphere of mutual respect that promotes learning.

Demographics
12.9% FARMS (free and reduced meals 12.9% SPED (special education White African American Two or more races Hispanic Asian

5% 12% 20% 12%

51%