At Sylvandale Middle School we believe that regardless of backgrounds, all students can grow their talents and multiple intelligences. All students can develop skills like perseverance, resourcefulness, responsibility, and empathy - qualities that matter wherever their personal journeys take them. We ultimately desire for students to develop into quality people who create meaningful lives for themselves and make a difference in the lives of others.

The Sylvandale Middle School staff encourages and coaches students to become critical thinkers who produce quality work. We expect students to do their jobs each day: to actively participate in class, complete their work, and respect one another. We support students in gaining academic skills, content knowledge, healthy habits, and sound decision making. In the process of learning, we encourage students to think about various points of view and perspectives. We want them to leave Sylvandale believing that they have the skills, capacity, and creativity to lead fulfilling, productive lives and positively contribute to the community and the world in which they live.

In acting upon our commitment to serve all students, Sylvandale staff members work together to care for each student as well as align our curriculum and assessments to district and state frameworks as well as the Common Core State Standards.

In tandem with our academic and extracurricular programs, we deliberately take steps to include students in creating a positive school community. Each individual student makes a difference in shaping a healthy learning environment - in classes, the halls, the lunch room, the fields, and on the bus. We’re working with all students to help them develop the skills and attitudes that will facilitate them in taking leadership and finding productive solutions to challenges. We aspire for all students to feel important and to recognize that they influence what happens to and what goes on around them each day.

It is a privilege for me, as the Sylvandale Middle School Principal, to partner with staff members, students and their families in continuing to shape a safe, responsible, and respectful school that is full of life, energy, and productivity.

It’s Great to be a Bear!