- Odle Middle School
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Odle Middle School One Dynamic Learning EnvironmentLocation 14401 NE 8th Street
Bellevue, WA 98007Information Type Public middle school Established 1969[1] School district Bellevue School District Principal Eric McDowell Faculty 35.4 (on FTE basis)[2] Grades 6 – 8 Enrollment 701 (as of 2010-11 school year)[2] Student to teacher ratio 20.1[2] Color(s) Red, blue Nickname Vikings Website School website
PTSA website
District websiteOdle Middle School is a public middle school in Bellevue, Washington, USA. The school is one of seven middle schools in the Bellevue School District, and was named posthumously after Frank Odle, who taught in the district for 55 years before retiring in 1968.[1][3] The name is sometimes used as a reverse acronym standing for "One Dynamic Learning Environment." Odle is located across from Stevenson Elementary, a primary feeder elementary school for Odle. Odle is primarily known for its hosting of the PRISM program, a gifted program for high-performing children. As of the 2009–10 school year, the school's principal is Eric McDowell and assistant principal is Jacqueline McKenzie.[4] As of the 2011-12 school year, the assistant principal is Eric Shearer.
In the 2001–02 school year, Odle Middle School was one of two schools in the state to be awarded a Blue Ribbon by the U.S. Department of Education,[5][6][7] the highest award an American school can receive.[8][9]
Contents
Demographics
As of the 2010–11 school year, the school had an enrollment of 701 students and 34.8 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), equalling a student-teacher ratio of 20.1.[2] 37% of the students are Caucasian, 41% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 9% are Hispanic, 10% are multi-ethnic, and 4% are African American.[4]
Academics
PRISM
The GT program at Odle is part of the Gifted and Talented Education (G.A.T.E.) program offered in the Bellevue School District for grades 2 through 12.[10] The district superintendent stated, in February 2006, that "the only other program that we know of like this is in Australia".[11] PRISM at Odle Middle School follows the GT curriculum acceleration from Spiritridge Elementary School and continues into the experimental high school GT program at Interlake High School, the Gifted High School Program (G.H.S.P.).[12][13]
Qualification
GT is a selective program; applicants must have a minimum score of 144 on the Cognitive Abilities Test. Reading and Quantitative scores must be of the 90th percentile or higher, one of which at or above the 97th percentile.[14]
The GT program is for students that have high academic and intellectual ability, but do not wish to skip grades, as this usually puts the student in an environment with older children that the student may feel uncomfortable in. GT allows the student to remain with students of similar age and similar academic skills.[4][13][15]
Classes
The program consists of separate core classes in science, math, language arts, and social studies for all grade levels. The curriculum for science consists of two years of integrated science followed by one year of biology. Science is taught at one grade above grade level. Language arts and social studies classes are combined into a two-class block for all grade levels. In sixth grade, students may choose to take LA/SS (Language Arts and Social Studies) 6, a class consisting fully of sixth graders, or take LA/SS 6/7/8 in sixth grade, which is a class with sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. In seventh grade, all seventh graders take the LA/SS 6/7/8 class. In eighth grade, students who took LA/SS 6 in sixth grade will take LA/SS 6/7/8, while those who have already taken two years of 6/7/8 will take LA/SS 9 in eighth grade, a class with a mix of Philosophy and Ancient Studies. For mathematics, students take a placement test to enter math grade levels two grades or higher than the student's grade level.[16][17]
High School Extension
The high school program, which is currently in its fourth year of implementation in the 2009–2010 school year, extends the science, English, and social studies classes further in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Interlake High School.[12] In the IB program, PRISM students complete the IB diploma during 10th and 11th grade, rather than the usual 11th and 12th grade. The University of Washington provides special English and Social Studies classes for GT students in their senior year.[18] In addition, Bellevue College provides math and other humanities courses to students who have completed prerequisite courses in the GT program.
Academy classes
Academy courses are a more rigorous and in-depth option for over-achieving students rather than normal classes offered at Odle.[4]
Visual and Performing Arts
The Academy of Visual and Performing Arts offers classes in theater arts, orchestra, band, choir, dance, and photography.[19]
Odle no longer offers analog photography classes as of the 2009–10 school year, but still offers video production classes and has added a new class, Technology Applications.[citation needed]
Math, Science, and Applied Technology
In the Academy of Math, Science, and Applied Technology, students spend a two-period block each day studying and applying scientific concepts. Academy science students participate in several design projects, building things like mousetrap cars and electric boats.
At Odle, in spring 2003, 76 percent of eighth-graders met standards in science, one of the highest success rates in the Seattle Metropolitan area. This success was attributed by then principal Kenneth Lyon to this academy since 96.3 percent of the 54 eighth-graders in the academy succeeded on the science Washington Assessment of Student Learning.[20]
The Academy of Math, Science, and Applied Technology is not an available course option for PRISM students, as the PRISM curriculum is one year ahead.[citation needed]
Extracurricular activities
Math Team
Odle's math team, entirely consisting of PRISM students, can be considered one of the strongest in the nation.[citation needed] Odle's math team consists of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who compete in competitions such as American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), Math is Cool (MIC), Mount Rainer Math Invitational (MRMI), MathCounts, and other events.[citation needed] Students from Odle received first place in the team contest in the Washington State Mathematics Championship (WSMC) for 6th and 7th grades in 2008.[21] In the WSMC 2009, they took 1st place in 6th and 8th grades,[22][23] and 2nd and 3rd places in 7th grade.[24]
Chess team
Odle Middle School earned first place in the 2006 national K–8 chess championship.[25][26][27] The chess team has also claimed first place in the Washington Middle School Team Championship for the school years 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, and 2010–11.[28][not in citation given]
Future Problem Solvers
Odle Middle School's Future Problem Solving Club (FPS), led by PRISM Language Arts and Social Studies teacher Debra Benzinger, received 5th place in the Future Problem Solving Program International Competition in 2007.[citation needed] The team has a history of sending students to the International Competition, and many students continue FPS in high school.
The Knowledge Masters Open Team, also led by Benzinger, placed first in Washington State and 31st worldwide in Fall 2007.[29] In Spring 2008, they placed first in state as well as 12th internationally.[30] In Fall 2008, they placed second in state as well as 26th internationally.[31] Odle Middle School also placed second in the state and 49th internationally in Fall 2009.[32]
Leadership
Leadership is a club at Odle similar to a student government; however, anyone can be a member. The members vote on ways to spend the Associated Student Body's money, and also plan dances and socials.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b "Bellevue School District Timeline". http://www.scn.org/bellehist/bsd8.html. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Odle Middle School". National Center for Education Statistics. http://nces.ed.gov/globallocator/sch_info_popup.asp?Type=Public&ID=530039000079. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ Cornwall, Warren; Shevory, Kristina (October 23, 2003). "Some who shaped Bellevue". The Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/eastsidenews/134661627_btabshapers.html. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Odle: Middle Schools". Bellevue School District. http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=127. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
- ^ "Bellevue middle school receives national recognition". Washington State School Directors' Association. May 29, 2002. http://www.wssda.org/wssda/webforms/en-us/news/2002/20020529_bluerib.asp. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
- ^ "BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS PROGRAM, Schools Recognized 1982-1983 Through 1999-2002" (PDF). U.S. Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
- ^ "Blue Ribbon Schools Program: Schools Recognized - 2003 Through 2006" (PDF). United States Department of Education. http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/list-1982.pdf. Retrieved May 11, 2006.
- ^ "CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department". Journal Inquirer. November 16, 2006. http://www.journalinquirer.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17475750&BRD=985&PAG=461&dept_id=161556&rfi=6. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
- ^ "Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test". The Washington Post. September 29, 2005. "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
- ^ "Gifted Programs". Bellevue School District. http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=335. Retrieved February 25, 2008.
- ^ Rachel Tuinstra (February 22, 2006). "Fast track at Gifted High". Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2002820718_giftedhigh22e.html.
- ^ a b "Gifted High School Program (Grades 9-12)". Bellevue School District. http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1522. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ a b "GT Frequently Asked Questions" (DOC). Odle PTSA. http://odleptsa.schools.officelive.com/Documents/PRISM%20FAQ%20Word%2097.doc. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "PRISM (Grades 1-8)". Bellevue School District. http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1521. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "PRISM". BSD Curriculum Web. http://curriculum.bsd405.org/C6/C17/PRISMhome/default.aspx. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "GT program". Odle Middle School PTSA. http://odleptsa.schools.officelive.com/PRISMprogram.aspx. Retrieved May 30, 2010.
- ^ "PRISM Middle School". BSD Curriculum Web. http://curriculum.bsd405.org/C12/C11/PRISM%20Middle%20School/default.aspx. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "Gifted High School Program". Bellevue School District. http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=855. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "Special Offerings at Odle". Bellevue School District. http://www.bsd405.org/Default.aspx?tabid=127. Retrieved February 27, 2008.
- ^ Gregory Roberts (October 18, 2003). "WASL science results poor". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. http://www.seattlepi.com/local/144468_wasl18.html.
- ^ "WSMC 2008 results" (PDF). http://www.blainesd.org/mathchamps/middle_school/MS08_files/Team08.pdf. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
- ^ "WSMC 2009 6th grade results" (PDF). http://www.blainesd.org/mathchamps/middle_school/MS09_files/6th%20Team09.pdf. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
- ^ "WSMC 2009 8th grade results" (PDF). http://www.blainesd.org/mathchamps/middle_school/MS09_files/8th%20Team09.pdf. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
- ^ "WSMC 2009 7th grade results" (PDF). http://www.blainesd.org/mathchamps/middle_school/MS09_files/7th%20Team.pdf. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
- ^ "1123 Young Chess Enthusiasts in Louisville" (Press release). United States Chess Federation. April 12, 2006. http://archive.uschess.org/news/press/uspr0613.php. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "National News, 1123 Young Chess Enthusiasts in Louisville". Chess Review Online, the Newsletter of the United States Chess Federation 3 (13). April 13, 2006. http://archive.uschess.org/news/newsletter/2006/060413/USNews.php
- ^ "2006 Tournament Chess News". http://www.nwchess.com/articles/news/tourn_2006.htm. Retrieved September 5, 2010.
- ^ "Middle School Chess in Washington State". http://www.nwchess.com/nwcmag/back_issues.htm. Retrieved March 5, 2011.
- ^ "Knowledge Masters Open Results for Fall 2007 Middle School Division" (PDF). http://greatauk.com/kmom.pdf.[dead link]
- ^ "Knowledge Masters Open Results for Spring 2008 Middle School Division" (PDF). http://www.greatauk.com/kmom.pdf.[dead link]
- ^ "Knowledge Masters Open Results for Fall 2008 Middle School Division" (PDF). http://www.greatauk.com/kmom.pdf.[dead link]
- ^ "Knowledge Masters Open Results for Fall 2009 Middle School Division" (PDF). http://www.greatauk.com/kmom.pdf.[dead link]
External links
Bellevue School District High schools Middle schools Chinook Middle School • Highland Middle School • Odle Middle School • Tillicum Middle School • Tyee Middle SchoolElementary schools Ardmore Elementary School • Bennett Elementary School • Cherry Crest Elementary School • Clyde Hill Elementary School • Eastgate Elementary School • Enatai Elementary School • Lake Hills Elementary School • Medina Elementary School • Newport Heights Elementary School • Phantom Lake Elementary School • Puesta del Sol Elementary School • Sherwood Forest Elementary School • Somerset Elementary School • Spiritridge Elementary School • Stevenson Elementary School • Woodridge Elementary SchoolAlternative schools International School • Kelsey Creek Home School Center (1-12) • Robinswood Middle School • Robinswood High SchoolCoordinates: 47°37′1.54″N 122°8′53.95″W / 47.6170944°N 122.1483194°W
Categories:- Middle schools in Washington (state)
- Blue Ribbon schools in Washington (state)
- Bellevue School District
- Schools in King County, Washington
- Educational institutions established in 1969
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