Oak Grove Middle School is a fifth and sixth grade campus that provides a quality instructional program, which is designed to help each child reach his/her full potential. A professional staff of 50 teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, food service workers, and custodians are dedicated to providing approximately 400 students with an academically rigorous learning environment. Within a nurturing, safe environment, Oak Grove Middle School staff members will actively engage all students in the learning process and teach students to become critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and life-long learners. Fifth and sixth grade students are divided into two teams. Each team consists of approximately 100 students each and four core classroom teachers. Each team has a language arts teacher, math teacher, science and social studies teacher. The students change classes between each of the four core classrooms. Special classes such as Art, Music, Computer Lab, Library, and Physical Education are also offered to every student in the middle school. These classes make up the remaining periods in the middle school day.
LITERACY LAB: The purpose of the Literacy Lab project is to inspire the love of reading in students and is designed to provide teachers with a solid foundation in a comprehensive literacy program. The goal is to enhance the achievement of mid-level students in literacy through explicit instruction that develops strategic learners. Classrooms become a community of learners through a workshop approach with emphasis on strategic reading with comprehension instruction, writing instruction, vocabulary instruction, word study, and assessment
D.A.R.E.: Drug Abuse Resistence Education classes are taught to both 5th and 6th graders by local police officers. D.A.R.E. emphasizes drug awareness and teaches students character building skills. Students work in cooperative groups and learn to interact appropriately. A graduation ceremony is held at the end of the 5th grade D.A.R.E. session.
INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL: Intramural basketball is offered to all 5th and 6th grade girls and boys at Oak Grove Middle. Students are divided into teams by the P.E. teacher and participate in competition among each other. Also, a separate traveling team is chosen by the volunteer coaches and games continue with competition between other schools nearby.
ENRICHMENT TIME: Enrichment Time is one more class period that falls into the Oak Grove Middle School daily schedule. Enrichment Time is a 50 minute period that allows students to gain remediation or enrichment in reading, writing, or math. Students work on specific skill lessons with classroom teachers and/or a gifted and talented teacher. Students who need reteaching of a certain skill will get this instruction during Enrichment Time. Students, who scored proficient on local assessments, will receive advanced, enrichment-style lessons from the gifted and talented teacher during this 50 minute period.
PRE-ADVANCED PLACEMENT: The Paragould School District is committed to providing all students with opportunities to engage in a rigorous, challenging curriculum. This is done through Pre- Advanced Placement courses. As early as 6th grade, we begin offering Pre-AP core subject areas to those students who demonstrate the desire to be challenged. Multiple sections of Pre-AP classes are offered to accomodate interested students.
GIFTED AND TALENTED: Students interested in GT can be referred by a teacher or parent for Gifted and Talented testing. Our GT classes are weekly pull-out classes where problem-solving activities and projects are completed. GT students also participate in Quiz Bowl and Odyssey of the Mind competitions.
As parents, you play a critical role in your child’s future. Our goal is to supply you with the most information possible so you can make informed decisions about your child’s growth. At OGMS we provide many opportunities for parent involvement. Recent discussion topics have included nutrition, testing, and internet safety. A weekly newsletter is published and parent center material is available to keep parents informed of events at OGMS.
The staff, parents, and community of Oak Grove will unite students from neighborhood elementary schools in a safe, positive, and caring environment. OGMS will promote academic excellence and expand curricular opportunities for all students. Through effective parental involvement and communication the OGMS learning community will successfully bridge our students’ transition to the next educational level.