Brown Barge Middle School

One of the best, if not THE BEST, middle schools in the country, opened in the late 1980's. It was designed to be a prototype middle school for educational reform supported by technology and an integrative curriculum (James Beane, et.al., Madison, WI). In the early 1990's, The US Department of Education awarded BBMS the largest magnet schools grant ever dispensed by the Department, of $7Million, to “design it differently, non-traditional.” Using these grant dollars, the school became, over the succeeding years, one of the leading middle schools in the Nation and still holds that reputation. The vision of the first appointed Principal, Camille C Barr (ret. 1997), resulted in her receiving one of the State of Florida's Principal of the Year awards in 1994 by then-Educational Commissioner Betty Castor.

The Streams curriculum developed under the Grant allowed students' ultimate education. There are three trimesters each year, consisting of 12 weeks each where students are assigned based on interest and academic strengths/weaknesses. Students are "streamed" grade specific only twice during the three-year middle school experience: the first trimester of the 6th grade ("Communities") and the last trimester of the 8th grade ("Exit"). During the other periods of the entire 3 years, students' streams are cross-age mixed, integrating grade levels 6, 7, and 8 where cooperative learning (real world experiences) is practiced. Teachers also change streams every trimester, allowing the opportunity for their continued growth professionally while gaining the knowledge of the entire student population of approximately 550 students. In this design, the students and the teachers remain motivated and enthusiastic about the total learning experience.

Parents and the community are involved in the educational experience at BBMS; the students conduct Portfolio Reviews with their parents and teachers at the end of each Stream Trimester, which allows a "presentation" atmosphere for the students. There are also opportunities for students to participate in the local District Science, Math, and History Fairs. Many students and Teachers at BBMS become successful published writers; they also make presentations at Educational Conferences in the U.S. Community Service is commonly taught and practiced by the staff and students.

The big question remains: why has it taken so long for this type educational reform to occur in the District when there is a prototype school "right around the corner." If other states/districts send their teachers for training to this school, why does the district where the school is located fail to see the importance of "following" the leader? After over 20 years in existence, and successfully resisting many pressures for closure, the school is still going strong. Surely, one of these days, someone will "get it." At least, that is the wish of those who have passed through the doors of this most excellent school!

The very BEST to you all, Brown Barge Middle School students, parents, and Staff! Excellent job, well done! Congratulations!
THANK YOU!!