Birchland Park Middle School

         Birchland Park Middle School, serving a population of 700 students in grades six, seven, and eight, offers its occupants a state-of-the-art technology education center, family & consumer science lab, library media center, TV studio, two computer labs, science labs and 50 classrooms. In April 2006, The New England League of Middle Schools designated Birchland Park a Spotlight School. This designation is awarded to middle schools who demonstrate exemplary research based middle practices for young adolescents. This honor is held by only 38 middle schools among the 1500 middle schools in New England. The physical plant is designed to offer local residents use of a ‘community wing’ that includes a gymnasium with a climbing wall, a cafetorium (large group seating of 600), and a community room for civic gatherings. The athletic fields complex offers track and field event stations, two softball diamonds with spectator seating, a soccer field, and a walking track for school and community use. In addition, the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, and the Willie Ross School for the Deaf house component programs at BPMS with students from both of these programs integrated into BPMS classrooms.

         BPMS provides a comprehensive academic program, cultural enrichment through fine arts and foreign language exploration and an emphasis on wellness through instruction in physical education and health education. Students work in teams of 110-120 students to create small communities of learners. Team teachers meet daily to plan for student needs, coordinate and integrate units of instruction, and contact parents by telephone, teacher web pages, email and a nightly homework posting at eBoard.com. A comprehensive guidance program is designed to assist students in dealing with the challenges of early adolescence. Attention to all learning styles and abilities is accomplished through a gifted & talented program, grade level Learning Centers, and through special education assistance. The student-run TV Studio provides a daily morning program, “WGEM News”, with close captioning and develops teaching videos for the instructional program.

         The middle school has developed a strong relationship with the greater community of East Longmeadow through partnerships with the Scantic Valley YMCA, and the East Longmeadow Chamber of Commerce allowing local businesses to share their talents with students, provide one-on-one mentoring to students, and plant the seeds for career exploration field trips for grades 6-7 culminating each year in an annual Career Day for grade 8 students. Teaching partnerships exist with American International College, Springfield College, Westfield State College, Elms College, and the University of Massachusetts where emergent teachers are coached and mentored by middle school staff. The BPMS PTO conducts an annual magazine drive whose profits are used to support enrichment programs, assemblies, field trips and special requests from teachers.

         Many extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities exist for middle school students. Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, Mathcounts, Yearbook, Student Council, Future Cities Club, National Junior Honor Society, Harmony Team, Birchland Banner, the school newspaper, and Drama Club are available beyond the school day to allow students to develop a wide range of interests. The Scantic Valley YMCA offers students the opportunity to take part in after school intramurals, a cooking club, and dances. Students have won local, regional and state honors in Scrabble, National Geographic, Massachusetts History Day, Massachusetts Music Band & Chorus Festival and Future Cities competitions.