School Setting and Context Lesher Middle School an IB World School

Lesher Middle School in one word is innovative. As an IB World School, Lesher has
a varying rang of demographics. According to the provided 2011 demographic data, this
suburban school, with an enrollment around 700 pupils, consists of majority White
students, followed by Hispanic, as well as a smaller population of multiracial students. The
schools mission statement that is highly practiced classroom to classroom is, to develop
inquiring, knowledgeable, balanced and caring students who will help to create a better
world through intercultural understanding and respect. Along side offering the common
core courses, Lesher provides their students with many additional opportunities that will
help them become a more balanced and knowledgeable student, such as Language
Acquisition. Language Acquisition allows for students to experience World Language
courses through a lense where they make connections and comparisons to their native
language, experience language through the study of countries and cultures, and develop
communication skills in the target languages. Along with students being able to access
and experiment with multiple languages, students also challenged with Gifted and Talented
courses, encouraged in technology and design, are shown the ropes to a more healthy and
physical lifestyle, and are shown the endless possibilities of incorporating art into their
worlds. The schools TCAP scores positively reflect this academia, and according to their
2012-2013 data posted to Great Schools.org, over 70% of students in grades six through
eight scored proficient or advanced in most of the areas tested. Student growth can also be
seen in these areas when comparing 2012 results with 2013.

From a personal experience, what I believe sets Lesher apart from the rest lie in its
classrooms. From the moment I walked through the doors at Lesher, I instantly wanted to
be apart of their cause, a part of their team. The staff is amazing! They have every
students best interest in mind regardless of their strengths or weaknesses. My host classes
alternate biweekly, meaning one week I have a seventh grade, gen ed English course, and
one week I have a Gifted and Talented English course. The duality of the differentiated
courses and levels of student achievement gives me a chance to experience how differently
kids learn. In one setting the students are very studious and are capable of more
independent, abstract thinking, whereas in another setting, the learning is more guided and
collaborative. The desks are in pairs for both classes to allow for some collaborative
thinking, but they are also in rows facing the front of the classroom, which gives it a more
formal feel. I think the biggest difference I notice between my two groups of students is the
overall climate of the room. The regular class is more rambunctious and requires frequent
redirects. The Gifted and Talented class includes more self-lead learning and full
participation from every student. While academically the differences amongst the two
classes are very apparent, what is not are the ways Ms. Pearse treats all her students. She
challenges the potential of each and every student, and she instills confidence in the work
they create, which makes them more eager to learn and succeed. I hope one day I can
become a part of such an accepting, respectable, innovative school like Lesher; and it is my
belief that every child have the Lesher experience.