Cross Case Features: Context

Hay Edwards Middle School: School Context

A renovation of the school building, increased enrollment, and structural changes have made this year a transitional one for Hay Edwards Middle School. After a major renovation of the school building, the student population doubled in sixth through eighth grades. To provide a greater sense of unity or community for this larger student population, the school instituted a new team teaching approach. The teaching teams allow teachers to share resources, materials, and handouts with each other, as well as work together on curriculum development. Teams also provide the opportunity for the members to draw on each other’s particular expertise, helping to share the load in terms of content.

The school focuses on a single Social Studies curriculum each year, where all students study the same content. This year the school focused on U.S. History. The focus next year will be Ancient Civilizations, allowing more emphasis on Asian content.