Winooski Middle High School

Why Winooski Middle High School was nominated

Beginning in 2011, the Winooski Schools embarked on a mission to redesign our educational program to better reflect the skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. We were awarded a 6-year grant from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation that funded opportunities for teacher growth as innovators and leaders, one-to-one technology, and an outreach effort that extended into the community�s living rooms and conference rooms to ask �What do our students need to succeed?� The answers to that question were distilled into our six Graduate Expectations, or GXs: Communication, Critical Thinking, Culture & Community, Creativity, Persistence, and Wellbeing. Currently, students demonstrate the first two in order to graduate, with all required by 2022. Each is assessed through a multi-stage performance-based assessment and final demonstration of learning during our Expo Weeks in January and June. Students are also assessed for graduation in 19 academic proficiency areas and through skill tests in reading and mathematics. Our innovations include the iLab for fully personalized learning, a self-paced Math Lab for students at all levels, integration of technology in language learning, and numerous student-driven core courses. We also invest in student voice and leadership training, which is integrated with our expanded advisory curriculum. With support from the Rowland and Barr Foundations, Winooski is currently mapping and engaging with a wide variety of community-based partners to provide flexible pathways to graduation. In all our practices, we aim to motivate students to achieve by fostering their engagement and ownership of learning., Winooski has been a leader in supporting learner-centered, competency-based learning, equity-centered design, deep community engagement, restorative practices, and flexible pathways to graduation. They have developed programs (iLab, Community Capstones, multi-lingual community supports), partnered with multiple funders and community partners and demonstrated long-term commitments to anti-racist work. , This school has a fully implemented mastery-based learning system and uses the Mastery Transcript as the official summative record for some or all graduates., The Winooski Middle High School (WMHS) is strengthening and innovating upon existing programming to boost its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) access to all students. The WMHS Computer-Based Music-Making Program launched in 2021, driven by student interest. The Computer-Based Music Making Program is a class offered to students that allows them to create, record, and produce their own music or audio recordings using computer technology. Approximately 45% of WMHS students have resettled in Winooski through the refugee resettlement program. Among them, they speak around 20 languages, predominantly Swahili, Somali, French, and Nepali. For these students, music is a common language. For some Winooski students, who struggle academically, music has been an anchor, keeping them connected to the district and providing an outlet for their talent. Many students want to make music in their own languages or write songs that students can sing in class. This program has enabled students to express themselves and connect with other students, and the broader community and is an excellent way to be inclusive and provide equitable access to arts education. Additionally, Winooski’s promise to their community includes: Students have voice and choice in their learning. • Students are excited about the topics they are learning as they are tied to their interests and their futures. • Learning is personalized and is relevant and meaningful to each student. • Each student develops a personalized learning plan tailored to their needs, interests and passions. • Students own their learning, are confident, and are willing to take on leadership roles. The Winooski High School environment encourages student DISCOVERY and RETENTION of learning. • Each student’s individual learning needs are supported. • Students choose how they learn and how they demonstrate their learning. • Students advance at their own pace, with guidance from their advisor. • Students move toward graduation as they master each topic. • Classes are small in size and enable teachers to engage and challenge each student’s learning style and ability. Winooski High School is preparing students for SUCCESS in the 21st century. • Through our GXs and GPs, students learn new transferable skills like communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration; essential skills that will help students work in ever-changing, diverse workplaces. • Students study real-world topics through project-based learning which takes a topic a student is interested in and ties it with the skills the student needs to develop in particular areas, including math, science and English. • Our schools’ diversity enables students to think globally, gain a deeper understanding of the world, and provides students with a unique leverage in achieving success in career and life. • We focus on the whole student, mind, spirit and body and help students appreciate that wellness is something that they need and should carry on through life., Proficiency based learning New Americans / Newcomer program Learning beyond the school walls iLab - personalized learning, Winooski Middle and High School reflects and celebrates the diversity of backgrounds and experiences of its students and families, supporting a community with a long history of welcoming newcomers to the United States. Three core focus areas—collaborative, student-centered, and relevant—describe the instructional practices that are at the heart of student engagement and educational equity for the school, seen for example through iLab, advisory, and flexible pathways. The Winooski Graduate Expectations (GXs) are six broad transferable skill areas: Communication, Culture & Community, Critical Thinking, Creativity, Persistence, and Wellbeing. The GX’s are assessed through performance assessments and are evaluated by a team of teachers during Expo, student exhibitions of learning held in January and June that are open to parents and others. Winooski Middle and High School is a community school offering health services, a food pantry, and more to support the overall wellbeing and academic success of students and their families.