Redwood Middle School (Saratoga, California)

Infobox middle school
name = Redwood Middle School


motto = Griffin Pride
established = ?
type = Public School
head = Kelly Green
vice = Jason Robertson
city = Saratoga
state = California
country = United States
campus = Saratoga, California
students = 924 (2004-2005 SARC data)
colors = Blue, white
homepage = [http://www.saratogausd.org/redwood/index.html Official Site]

Redwood Middle School is located in Saratoga, California, and is a part of the Saratoga Union School District (SUSD). The current SUSD superintendent is Lane Weiss. Redwood Middle School educates students in grades 6–8 and has an average annual enrollment of 950 students. The school mascot is the Griffin and the school colors are blue and white.

History

Originally called Fruitvale School, it was renamed Redwood Intermediate in 1965, when the 7th and 8th grades were consolidated from the five K-8 schools in the district (Saratoga, Foothill, Fruitvale, Argonaut and Congress Springs). Many people know it as Redwood Jr. High. It became Redwood Middle School in 1989 with the transfer of the 6th grade from the remaining elementary schools (Saratoga, Foothill, and Argonaut).

Administration

As of 2007, Mrs. Kelly Green has replaced Mrs. Beth Polito as the principal of Redwood Middle School. The Vice Principal is Mr. Jason Robertson. The new 6th Grade Dean is Mr. Eric Witter. There are three counselors: Mrs. Pat Burnham, Mrs. Linda Rocha, and Mrs. Angela Steely Deans.

Academics

According to 2004-2005 School Accountability Report Card (SARC) data, approximately 49% of the student body is classified as caucasian, and 45% classified as Asian (Oriental Asians and Central Asians). Students' standardized test scores are often in the upper 99th percentile for the STAR and CAT-6. The required classes of Redwood Middle School include a three-period core (containing the required courses Language Arts, Literature, and Social Studies) for sixth and seventh graders and two periods for eighth grade. The courses of Mathematics, Science, and P.E. are also required. In seventh grade, students are able to take one elective, such as the world languages Spanish 1A and French 1A, as well as Advanced Band, Visual Arts, Drama, Computers, Web Design, Digital Photography, Study Hall, and Speech and Debate. When in eighth grade, additional courses are offered, such as Spanish 1B, French 1B, Leadership, Yearbook, Algebra Lab, or Teacher Assistant. There are many wonderful and amazing things you can experience in Redwood.

After completing 8th grade at Redwood, students transfer to high schools in other districts, as the Saratoga Union School District is K-8 only. Most students continue on to Saratoga High School or Los Gatos High School (both are part of the Saratoga-Los Gatos Unified School District), with some opting to attend private college preparatory schools in the area.

ocial Structure

Although academics at Redwood are ranked very highly, there still remains a large focus on social context. Students are encouraged to participate in social activities such as activity nights,the yearly spirit bash, and the eighth grade field trip to the east coast. The school also hosts lunchtime activities, organized by the school's Leadership class, in order to promote school spirit and identity, as well as keep students socially active. Griffin Pride days, Spirit days, along with a variety of other activities, encourage students to develop a sense of school pride and interact with other students in a positive social way.

The students are separated into two teams, the blue team and the white team. The goal of the team-based atmosphere to dissolve social cliques, encourage new friendships, and help students develop a sense of community among fellow students and team members. Students are also placed into classes according to their team, so as to make the school less overwhelming, and to help students make friends that are in most of their classes. The school also provides a program called WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) that aims to help incoming 6th grade students adapt to the differences between elementary and middle school. All 6th graders are enrolled in the program automatically, and are mentored by volunteer 8th grade students.

Arts

The school's music department is led by long-standing music director Vicki Wyant with the help of assistant director Jonathan Jow; the program is sponsored by Saratoga Music Boosters, a parent-volunteer run group. Students can participate in award-winning groups including the Honor Chorus, Concert Band, Marching Band, Percussion, and Auxiliary (with over 150 students as of 2007), Jazz Band, Colorguard, Jazz Dance Team, and String Orchestras (led by Scott Krijnen, newly appointed Redwood orchestra conductor). The music groups perform and/or compete in The Newark Days Parade, The Santa Cruz Band Review, The Foothill Band Review, The Los Gatos Holiday Parade, The San Jose Veteran's Day Parade, and Disneyland Magic Music Days. Every school year, the music program hosts two concerts, the Winter Concert, and the Pops Concert, aimed to showcase what students have accomplished in the past half/year.

Many Redwood students also participate in the fall play and in the spring musical. Spring musicals performed include "Seussical the Musical", "The Wiz", and "Honk!".

References

* Ray, Rebecca. [http://www.svcn.com/archives/saratoganews/05.08.02/cover-0219.html "Child's Play"] , Saratoga News. (May 8th, 2002)
* 2004-2005 School Accountability Report Card [http://www.saratogausd.org/2006sarc/6049092.html] .
* Redwood Middle School website [http://www.susd.k12.ca.us/redwood/]

External links

* [http://www.susd.k12.ca.us/redwood/index.html Redwood Middle School website]
* [http://www.susd.k12.ca.us/redwood/newsletter.html Redwood Middle School newsletter archive]
* [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/ca/5622/ Redwood Middle School profile] provided by greatschools.net (contains pop-ups)
* [http://www.saratogahigh.org/activities/SMB/index.htm Saratoga Music Boosters Website]