Foothills Middle School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Foothills Middle School | |
|
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."-Ralph Waldo Emerson
|
|
| Location | |
|---|---|
| 171 E. Sycamore Ave. Arcadia, CA 91006 |
|
| Information | |
| School district | Arcadia Unified School District |
| Principal | Mrs. Patricia Hartline |
| Students | 843 for 2005-2006 |
| Faculty | 33 |
| Type | Middle School |
| Grades | 6-8 |
| Mascot | Highlander |
| Established | 1954 |
| Homepage | http://www.ausd.k12.ca.us/foothills/ |
Foothills Middle School is a part of the Arcadia Unified School District and is a three-year comprehensive middle school for students in grades 6 through 8, located within the city of Arcadia, California. Feeder elementary schools to this student body population of 843 (2005-2006 census) are Highland Oaks Elementary and Hugo Ried Elementary. Foothills Middle School feeds into Arcadia High School.
Contents |
[edit] Academic Performance
On the California school report card for 2005-2006, Foothills attained an API of 603, down from 30 points from the previous year, as compared to the average middle school score of 725 for 2005-2006. More than 50% of students scored in the advanced proficient category for English and Language Arts, Math, and Science.
[edit] Honors Math Program
Foothills has an honors mathematics program that for some students starts as early as 7th grade. All 6th grade students are tested for readiness in the Spring of 6th grade and selected based on their readiness test scores, history of math grades, and teacher recommendation. If they are selected at the end of 6th grade, students skip pre-algebra which is normal math course for 7th graders, and proceed directly to an Honors Algebra class in 7th grade. Students who are not selected for the Honors math program that starts in 7th grade have another chance to start the program as Honors Geometry students in eighth grade. All students on the Honors math track are evaluated again at the end of Honors Geometry to determine which students continue to Honors Algebra II vs. regular Algebra II, courses offered only at the high school. The down-select for Honors Algebra II is about 50% and is based on teacher recommendation, grades in the prior two math classes (Honors Algebra I grades are most heavily weighted), and an Algebra I concepts test. Students who do not participate in the Honors program starting in 7th grade can still accelerate their progress through the high school's math curriculum by taking a math class offered by the Arcadia Educational Foundation sponsored summer school.
[edit] Performing Arts Programs and Extra Curricular Activities
Foothills has a music program with two bands, one of which marches and competes as the Foothills Highlander Band, two orchestra groups, a choral group, and drill team. About 50% of students participate in one of these performing arts groups. Electives including Office Aid, Teacher Aid, Library Aid, Drama Production, Art, Digital Photography, Video Entertainment, Speech and Debate, and Journalism are offered to 8th grade student who do not participate in Band or Orchestra. Clubs include ASB, KFX, Help Club, Recycling/Ecology Club, Lighthouse, Robotics, Running Club, Honor Society, Dance Club, Movie Club, Ultimate Frisbee, Tangrams, Sudoku, Artist Trading Cards, Scrapbook, and Yearbook. An after school tutoring program is run by the students, and the district runs a Gifted and Talented program on three Saturdays in the Spring term.
[edit] Athletics
All sports require a tryout with practices held afterschool. School sports include boys football and girls volleyball during the first quarter, boys basketball and girls basketball during the second quarter, boys volleyball and girls softball during the third quarter, and boys soccer and girls soccer during the fourth quarter. All teams are associated with the 210 league. Foothills biggest sports rival is Clifton Middle School located in Monrovia. The boys basketball team became very prestigious after completing two undefeated seasons and winning 3 tournaments. Inramurals sports associated with the Arcadia Recreational Department is offered to those who do not make the school team. You must be at least be in 7th grade to be on a team.
[edit] Demographics
According to 2006-2007 census, the student population is majority Asian (4390), followed by White (26), then Hispanic/Latino (8), Flipino (1.78), African American (1.6), and Greek (0.2). Student to teacher ratio for 2005-2006 was 26, with teachers having an average of 12 years of teaching experience.
[edit] News
In the Fall of 2006, Measure A, a school bond measure passed in Arcadia. A portion of the collected revenues will fund improvements at Foothills Middle School including converting six classrooms to science labs, expansion of the music building, upgrades to the multipurpose room, library and computer lab facilities, construction of a joint use gymnasium with the City of Arcadia, and various other infrastructure improvements.
