Great Bend Middle School

=USD 428=

Great Bend Middle School is part of the Unified School District #428 in Great Bend, Kansas.

Administration

*David Reiser: Principal
*Kathy Hafner: Assistant Principal and Director of Activities

History

Great Bend Middle School was formed in 1992 when seventh, eighth, and ninth grade classes from Harrison Junior High and Roosevelt Junior High were reconfigured into one seventh and eighth grade attendance center. Ninth grade students were integrated into the Great Bend High School student population. [http://www.usd428.net/GBMS/GBMS_page.htm]

Middle School Concept

Three eighth grade cores and three seventh grade cores of about 85 students each comprise Great Bend Middle School. This "school-within-a-school" approach gives students a smaller and more familiar group of students and teachers with which to interact.

Great Bend Middle School supports a team approach in the teaching of core subjects: English, mathematics, social studies and science. Each team of four teachers coordinate their curriculum, assignments, and student projects. The result is an integrated learning experience.

Students also participate in exploratory courses in keyboarding, vocal music, art, technology, and skills for adolescence, with an opportunity to rotate classes each nine week grading period..

Band and orchestra are available to seventh and eighth graders. Students may try out for the elite vocal ensemble, Music-in-Motion, or Women in Harmony.

Average class size at GBMS is between 18 and 23 students. The building was renovated just a few years ago to add air conditioning, a new media center, additional classroom space, energy-efficient windows, and new infrastructure systems.

The new Middle School media center is stocked with carefully chosen, up-to-date selections; computerized library software; and computers to support the school's Accelerated Reader program. [http://www.usd428.net/GBMS/GBMS_page.htm]

Technology

Classrooms in Great Bend Middle School are equipped with computers for student use which include internet access, filtering software, tutorial programs, and word-processing software.

On-line access to World Book Encyclopedia is available for student use.

A newly updated, state-of-the-art technology lab, featuring computer-based careers in industry, communication, transportation, construction,and bio-related systems, gives students a variety of experiences.

Great Bend Middle School is a KSN Weather Lab Site.

Students take turns producing and editing a video news segment each morning that is played during first period. [http://www.usd428.net/GBMS/GBMS_page.htm]

Other Information

*Mascot = Panthers
*Enrollment = 481 Students
*Only for Grades = 7 - 8
*School Colors = Black, Red, and White

chool Profile for 2005-2006

*Attendance Rate 99.4%
*Enrollment Grades 7-8
*Total # of Students: 487
*Males 54%
*Females 46%
*White 73%
*Hispanic 21%
*African American 4%
*Other 2%
*Economically Disadvantaged 52%
*Current Accreditation: Fully Accredited
*School Safety = GBMS has an excellent safety record with an incident rating well below the state average.

References

* [http://www.usd428.net/GBMS/GBMS_admin.htm GBMS Admins]
* [http://www.usd428.net/GBMS/GBMS_page.htm GBMS Info]