I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your student to Wagar Middle School. My name is Craig Freestone and I will be your student’s principal for the coming year. Wagar Middle School is a Grade 5 building and Wagar Junior High School is Grades 6-8.  Wagar offers diverse academic programming along with a strong belief in restorative practices and social emotional support for students. I would like to highlight some additions to Wagar’s offerings

Big Ideas Math will be introduced for 7th grade through students enrolled in Algebra 2. Big Ideas Math programs use a Universal Design for Learning to create a fun and innovative program that uses hands-on activities and scaffolded instruction. This allows for balanced lessons with built-in “Response to Intervention” that appeal to both students and teachers.

New offerings at Wagar Middle School this year include dedicated sections for fifth grade band and choir. In the past, those courses were taken in half hour periods during advisory time. Now we have a dedicated fifth through eighth grade band and choir program.

We are no longer offering an advisory period in order to increase instructional time for all core classes, while increasing flexible scheduling opportunities. This specifically allows our students to receive more instructional time in ELA, which now includes a dedicated reading class. This will ease the need for stamina during longer class periods.

Finally, our co-teaching model will be expanding. We will offer co-taught classes in all of the core subjects, which will include local-based special education students joining our general education classes. This model helps with specific skill building with an individualized focus.

Jet Pride!

Mr. Craig Freestone