Old Saybrook Middle School Named One Of Twenty-Seven Spotlight Schools by the New England League of Middle Schools
Old Saybrook, Conn., April 4, 2024 – In correspondence received by Old Saybrook Interim Superintendent Dr. Krista Bauchman on February 19, 2024, the Executive Director of the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) and their organization’s Spotlight School Coordinator officially announced that Old Saybrook Middle School has been identified as one of twenty-seven Spotlight Schools throughout New England.
As stated on the NELMS website, the Spotlight Schools Program aims to identify schools with a record of powerful and research-based learning for young adolescents and consistently observe middle-level best practices. “A NELMS Spotlight School is a center of learning and strong effective programs that reflect concepts contained in, The Successful Middle School: This We Believe, by Dr. Penny Bishop and Dr. Lisa Harrison.”
“Having representatives from across New England come and observe Old Saybrook Middle School is a fantastic opportunity to share the many things that make us unique,” commented Interim Old Saybrook Middle School Principal Matt Walton. “We are proud of our use of varied instructional and personal learning strategies, our commitment to the belief that every student can be successful, and involving our students with opportunities to explore, collaborate, and see the interconnectedness of the skills they learn with the world beyond our school.”
As part of the process for becoming a Spotlight School, representatives from Old Saybrook Middle School submitted an application, self-assessment surveys, and other school-based data. Once the submitted materials are vetted by NELMS, a
a site visit is conducted where representatives from the organization observe the school and its programs in practice. During the visit, NELMS representatives had an opportunity to speak with students and staff about some of the school’s exemplary programs, such as the popular Saybrook Studies unit, the school’s student-led leadership program, multi-lingual equity work, and various examples of how students are building 21st Century Skills.
In the letter acknowledging Old Saybrook’s recognition as a Spotlight School, representatives from NELMS made the following observations during their site visit:
● Common planning time supporting middle-level best practices and instructional autonomy provided for teachers by the administration equates to empowered and effective teaching, which leads to increased student learning.
● A major strength of the school is the administrators' distribution of leadership and that the school shares and “lives” a common vision.
● Administration, teachers, and support staff are committed to supporting all students. An example of this is the school’s commitment to its growing multilingual population.
● The school’s advisory program is robust and well-planned.
● The 8th grade “Saybrook Studies” is an exemplary program that partners the school/students with the community and its businesses.
The NELMS Spotlight School designation is a three-year honor that includes a Spotlight School banner, which will be proudly displayed in the Old Saybrook Middle School entryway.