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Middle School

Fuel Exploration. Find Inspiration.

At the middle school level, learning is designed to foster exploration and nurture creativity as students consider their future. We’re serious about building inclusive spaces because it gives students the best chance to continue healthy self-discovery as they bridge into our high school experience.

Middle School Pathways

Grades 6–8 are marked by a time of self-discovery and finding belonging. Students see their interests validated and are supported as they consider ways to create a life they will love. We want students to feel empowered and excited as they begin to think about their high school experience.

Learning

Built on deep, nuanced learning.

With rigorous curriculum to challenge all learners and varied assessments to appropriately measure progress, our middle school experience has been designed to prepare students for future success.

Leadership

Building skills and self-confidence.

We know that investing in tomorrow’s leaders means giving them opportunities to grow and learn today. Through programs like Where Everybody Belongs (WEB), older students act as mentors for incoming sixth-grade students and help ease the transition from elementary school life.

Culture

Student-centered environments.

We keep our schools safe and inclusive by choosing students over scores, time and again. At the middle school level, we’ve made renewed efforts to engage families, make guidance and support services accessible, and emphasize health and wellness in our curriculum.

Phased Implementation

Several improvements to the middle school experience are currently underway as part of the One91 Pathways expansion. 

two student hugging

AVID College Readiness

District 191 secondary schools offer AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), a college prep program designed to increase the number of students who enroll in four-year colleges. AVID serves all students by ensuring they acquire the organizational and study skills needed for them to be successful. Students learn academic strategies to develop critical thinking skills and ask probing questions.

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Middle School Curriculum

Digital Learning

In middle school, students in 6th and 7th grade take a digital exploratory classes that teach age-appropriate technology skills and embed those skills as they learn how to make videos, study copyright laws, learn web design, computer animation, and programming, and investigate careers in these areas. In 8th grade, students are able to take One91 Pathways technology electives that enable deeper exploration.

Embedded Honors

Embedded honors opportunities will be available to students in core subject areas (literary arts, social studies and science). This allows students to try honors work within their classroom, removing the barriers associated with traditional honors classes by opening up the opportunity to each student. Honors work focuses increasing students' ability to think critically.

Assessments

Assessments in District 191 are used to ensure accountability increase student achievement.

  • Develop focused instruction and interventions to increase student achievement 
  • Examine data for instructional planning 
  • Design and implement staff professional development programs to meet specific academic areas

Positive Learning Environments

District 191 middle schools are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment where all students can be successful in school. To support this commitment, we use an organizational approach called Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) that sets consistent expectations throughout the school, uses a common language when talking about behavior, and focuses on reinforcing good choices that students make every day.

Eagle Ridge FIRE

Focus

Integrity

Responsibility

Excellence

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Nicollet RISE

Resourceful

Inclusive

Safe

Excellence

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Pathways Stories

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  • Announcements
  • Building Community
  • Pathways & Partnerships
Young but Powerful: The Story of Service Day Saturday

No single person embodies the culture of community service in District 191 quite like Shrey. Growing up in Savage, Shrey was surrounded by a family who showed him different aspects of the world, teachers who encouraged him, and a community who rallied behind his efforts. It started when he was three years old and his mother Seema took him to a local teen homeless shelter where she served on the board. 

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In One91 middle schools, students learn important social and emotional skills that help make them Future Ready and Community Strong
  • Pathways & Partnerships
In One91 middle schools, students learn important social and emotional skills that help make them Future Ready and Community Strong

SEL is an integral part of education and human development. It’s the process through which young people and adults acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to do several things — recognizing and managing their emotions, demonstrating caring and concern for others, establishing positive relationships, making responsible decisions, and handling challenging situations constructively.

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student and teacher smile
  • Building Community
  • Pathways & Partnerships
Welcoming sixth graders with WEB Program develops student leaders and helps ease the transition to middle school

Making community happen at a school-size scale is no easy task. You need coordinated effort from staff, students and administration, plus a vision that’s compelling enough to catch fire. And that’s exactly what District 191 Middle School leaders believe can happen with the Where Everybody Belongs (WEB) program.

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student works in a makerspace
  • Pathways & Partnerships
Creating Equitable Programming And Pathways For All District 191 Students

The model - which we’re calling Pathways K-12 - builds on the work we are already doing in elementary schools. It also aligns with the Pathways model at Burnsville High School that helps students find their passions, understand how classes and careers fit together, and prepare for success after graduation. 

Read More about Creating Equitable Programming And Pathways For All District 191 Students