Richard Henry Dana Middle School (Arcadia)

Infobox School2
name = Richard Henry Dana Middle School
motto = Let Learning Be Our Compass and Our Light
established = 1986
type = Middle School
grades = 6-8
head_name = Principal
head = James Tarouilly
city = Arcadia
state = California
country = United States
school_colors = Red and White
mascot = Mariners
website = [http://www.ausd.k12.ca.us/dana/]

Richard Henry Dana Middle School was built in 1954 and is a part of the Arcadia Unified School District. It was originally opened as an intermediate school housing only seventh and eighth graders, Joseph Bagnall being its first principal. In 1959, Dana became a high school with the addition of the 9th grade. The school was named after Richard Henry Dana, Jr., who was the author of the book "Two Years Before the Mast". The central quad area on campus features an anchor similar to the one used on the "Pilgrim", the ship made famous by Richard Henry Dana, Jr. In 1993, Dana underwent another major change and became Dana Middle School with the addition of sixth graders and the transfer of the ninth graders to Arcadia High School (Arcadia, California). The entire school was remodeled, in 1995, air-conditioned and equipped with better technology. In 1996, it became a California Distinguished School, and in 1997 a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Dana currently has WEB since 2002 (Where Everybody Belongs); a program which helps the new students of Dana to adapt to their new school.

Math Program

Dana Middle School has an honors mathematics program that for some students starts as early as 7th grade. All 6th grade students are tested for readiness at the end of their sixth grade year and selected based on their readiness test scores, history of math grades, and teacher recommendation. If they are selected at the end of 6th grade, students skip pre-algebra, which is the normal math course for 7th graders, and proceed directly to an Honors Algebra class. Students who are not selected for the Honors math program have another chance to start the program as Honors Algebra II students in eighth grade. The students that were accepted as Honors Algebra students during the end of their 6th grade year are evaluated again at the end of Honors Geometry to determine which students continue to Honors Algebra II vs. regular Algebra II, courses offered only at the high school. The down-select for Honors Algebra II is about 50% and is based on teacher recommendation, grades in the prior two math classes (Honors Algebra I grades are most heavily weighted), and an Algebra I concepts test. Students who do not participate in the Honors program starting in 7th grade can still accelerate their progress through the high school's math curriculum by taking a math class offered by the Arcadia Educational Foundation sponsored summer school.

External links

* [http://www.ausd.k12.ca.us/dana/ Dana Official School Website]
* [http://www.ausd.net/dana/parents/announcements/bulletin/index.htm Dana Student Bulletin]
* [http://www.calendarhub.com/pub/Dana+Middle+School+Calendar Dana Calendar]
* [http://www.ci.arcadia.ca.us/ City of Arcadia]
* [http://district.ausd.net/ AUSD Home]
* [http://www.ausd.net/ahs Arcadia High School website]