South Jordan Middle

Mission Statement
The South Jordan Middle School community is committed to improving student learning by creating a safe and respectful environment, providing a challenging curriculum, addressing the diversity of middle school learners, and fostering individual responsibility.

• Belief Statements
• All Students Can Learn
• Everyone within the school community should be valued, respected, and challenged to meet their personal best in a safe and positive environment.
• The diversity of middle school students requires a wide range of teaching and assessment methods.
• Responsibility for student achievement is shared by students, parents, staff, and the community.
• The curriculum should meet the needs of students, adhere to district and state standards, and prepare students for the future.

• Desired Results for Student Learning
• Students will demonstrate core knowledge and develop skills that support life long learning.
• Students will communicate effectively using reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
• Students will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Students will develop interpersonal skills.
• Students will demonstrate positive character development.
• Students will demonstrate responsible citizenship

South Jordan Middle School (SJMS) is located in the western part of the city of South Jordan. This area changed rapidly from an agrarian community to a suburban society. The patrons of this middle to upper income community are highly supportive of the school and are dedicated to educational excellence which includes curriculum, instruction, and activities which enrich the educational opportunities for each child.

Historically, the plan for SJMS developed as Bingham Middle School (BMS) needed replacement. Rather than expend the substantial funds necessary to renovate BMS, it was determined that a wiser course would be to build a new school. Although BMS would remain open for a couple more years, most of the student population began attending SJMS as it opened in 1989.

From its beginnings, students at South Jordan Middle School have excelled. State and national test scores indicate that SJMS students collectively perform at or near the top in all subjects. Students are also found developing their other talents in and out of school. Service is also a priority to many of the SJMS students. To further strengthen the dedication and commitment necessary to excel, students are taught and encouraged to be “Snow Leopards on the P.R.O.W.L.” The students come Prepared, are Respectful, are On time, have a Winning attitude, and Listen and learn.

As dedicated professionals, the South Jordan Middle School staff is committed to pursuing the tenets of middle school philosophy by emphasizing academic excellence and by working to help students develop individual strengths, talents and problem solving skills. The school provides an environment where individual differences are valued and the rights of others are respected.

• South Jordan Middle School serves approximately 1,400 students in grades seven through nine. The school has an ethnic minority population of approximately 3 percent.
• South Jordan Middle School operates on a traditional nine month, 180 day school calendar. A printed calendar of assemblies, drama, chorus, band, orchestra, and other activities is made available each year.
• South Jordan Middle School has an experienced faculty trained at universities throughout the nation. All of the professional staff members have bachelor’s degrees, and a number have advanced degrees as well.
• Faculty and staff undergo formal evaluations on a regular basis to help assure quality teaching and appropriate use of school resources.
• The curriculum follows the State Core Curriculum and exceeds state requirements. In addition to giving students a good foundation in basic skills, the faculty provides excellent opportunities for students to learn music, drama, foreign language, etc.
• Special education classes in English, math and reading, and counselor-directed study skills classes help students who have special learning needs. Resource teachers, guidance specialist, speech language pathologist, and psychologist are on staff to assist students with special needs.
• Honors classes are offered to qualifying students.
• Vocational classes provide introductory and intermediate training in woods, home ecology, business, and computer science. All seventh grade students participate in the Technology/Life/Careers (TLC) program.
• Students are expected to attend school every day and to help maintain a good learning environment. School dress standards are posted and students are expected to dress in clean, modest clothing which is appropriate for school.
• A hot lunch is served daily in the school cafeteria. An a la carte menu is also available. Service is quick and efficient during three lunch periods.
• Bus service is provided for all students who live two miles or more from school.
• An active School Community Council, comprised of elected representatives, meets regularly to deal with important school issues such as student safety.
• Visitors are welcome and asked to go to the office for directions and other help before visiting classes.
• South Jordan Middle provides released time for special studies in athletics, academics and religion.
• South Jordan Middle students have won numerous awards for math, music, foreign language, vocational keyboarding, essay writing, science projects, magazine writing, and news reporting.
• South Jordan Middle School recognizes student achievement and their positive contributions through several student recognition and incentive programs.
• South Jordan Middle School encourages student involvement and provides many opportunities for students to showcase their talents and develop leadership skills. Among the possibilities are history, science and foreign language fairs, band, orchestra and vocal festivals, and many other activities which promote student growth.

Utah Aspire Plus

The Utah Aspire Plus Summative assessment is administered to students in grades 9-10 as an end-of-level assessment.  Operating under a legislative mandate, the UA+ test provides a predictive ACT score range to individual students as well as a proficiency score at the school level and for individual students in English, Math, Reading and Science as they prepare to take the ACT college entrance exam in 11th grade.  UA+ question items assess students’ capacity to think analytically, make inferences, and connect learning and concepts across subjects.  Utah Aspire Plus assessments provide information to assist in determining students’ educational progress towards being ready for college and careers upon completion of secondary school. Due to the school soft closure in March 2020, scores are not available for the 2019-20 school year.

Test Subject	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
Language Arts	64.3%	N/A	57.2%	53.0%	57.5%
Mathematics	63.0%	N/A	42.2%	45.8%	43.8%
Science	48.9%	N/A	52.2%	53.1%	59.3%

RISE

RISE is a collection of computer-adaptive assessments given to Utah students beginning in grade 3 (science in grade 4) in English language arts (ELA), math and science. RISE assessments provide questions that assess students’ ability to apply higher-order thinking skills and better emulate real tasks students may encounter in education and in life.

RISE assessments were developed through a joint effort on the part of Utah teachers, parents, test development experts, and the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). The RISE assessment, together with the state’s suite of assessments in grades K-12, provide information to assist in determining students’ progress towards being prepared for college and careers upon completion of secondary school. Due to the school soft closure in March 2020, scores are not available for the 2019-20 school year.

Test Subject	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
Language Arts	60.7%	N/A	53.7%	53.9%	50.2%
Mathematics	63.1%	N/A	50.3%	55.7%	51.1%
Science	58.1%	N/A	62.4%	63.5%	57.2%

School Accountability Report Cards

School Accountability Report Cards are issued for each public school once a year by the State of Utah. Elementary and middle school report cards have four main grade categories: achievement, growth, English learner progress, and growth of the lowest 25%. High schools have one additional grade category entitled postsecondary readiness. Achievement and growth was calculated from the new Readiness. Improvement. Success. Empowerment. (RISE) assessment for grades 3-8 and the Utah Aspire Plus assessment for grades 9-10. The English learner progress category score is calculated from the annual administration of the WIDA test, which assesses students’ language proficiency in English. For high schools, the postsecondary readiness score is calculated from 11th grade performance on the ACT, advanced coursework performance, and graduation rates. The state’s School Accountability Report Cards are intended to inform educators, parents, and community stakeholders about school performance as they work collaboratively to improve student outcomes. Due to the school soft closure in March 2020, scores are not available for the 2019-20 and the 2020-21 school years.

Category	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	2021-22	2022-23
Achievement	34	N/A	N/A	32	30
Growth	30	N/A	N/A	37	37
ELL Progress	8	N/A	N/A	11	3
Growth of the Lowest 25%	19	N/A	N/A	18	18