Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch - School Tours





Hahira Middle School



Designated in 2009
Hahira Middle School • District • County • Lowndes • State • Georgia • Principal Kip McLeod • School Address 101 S. Nelson St. Hahira, GA 31632 • Phone (229) 794-2838 •
Website: www.hahiramiddle.org


2009-2010 School Statistics

Enrollment: 1280
Grade Levels: 6-8

Student Demographics 03%   Hispanic
71%   White
20%   African American
>1%   American Indian
01%   Asian
05%   Multiracial

24%   Free/Reduced Lunch
>1%   English Learners

2004 AYP: MET
2005 AYP: MET
2006 AYP: MET
2007 AYP: MET
2008 AYP: MET
2009 AYP: MET


School Characteristics and Replicable Practices


Academic Excellence

  • High expectations for academic success are set for all students at HMS. Parents are notified of these expectations through communication via syllabi, team letters, newsletters, school handbook and school and teacher webpages.
  • HMS develops a school improvement plan each year based on data interpretation and needs of the students from the previous school year.
  • All teachers at HMS incorporate the Georgia Performance Standards in their lessons and use a variety of teaching strategies to ensure student success. Lessons are enhanced through the incorporation of Learning Focused strategies.
  • Grade levels are ensured common planning times so that teams and departments may utilize the time to work cooperatively on units, lessons and strategies to continue student success. This time also contributes to each team’s ability to cover a topic across disciplines. Many departmental meetings are held in the school data room so that teachers may incorporate the data findings in the decision making process. Departments also develop common benchmark and unit assessments. The assessments are analyzed so that necessary re-teaching strategies may be developed.
  • Technology is an ongoing incorporation in classrooms at HMS. The media specialists continuously update teachers on new technology and software that they have been introduced to through professional development trainings, seminars, conferences, journals and research. Each year every teacher at HMS receives a minimum of six hours of technology training delivered by the media specialists.
  • All disciplines incorporate writing in their lessons to ensure that all students are Writing Across the Curriculum.
  • Meeting the reading across the curriculum (RAC) standard is a school wide effort. Students read in all of their academic areas as well as their connections and physical education classes. The media specialists develop a program each year to assist with the goals of the RAC program. Students receive various recognition and awards throughout the school year for meeting the set goals.
  • HMS utilizes computer programs such as Study Island, Success Maker and Online Assessment System to assist with student success. Needs of students with disabilities who might require extra help are met through an extended learning time, tutoring, collaborative teaching classes, blueprint classes, RTI, homework clubs, after school program and benchmark/unit assessments.
  • Students are recognized for their academic success through the Honor Roll Board, Vikings On A Roll recognition, Pride Power, Principal’s Cookout and Honor’s Day Award Ceremony.

Developmental Responsiveness

  • HMS demonstrates an awareness and understanding of the developmental changes of our adolescent students. Each summer, HMS holds a 6th, 7th and 8th grade summer orientation to give students an opportunity to visit the school, make school pictures, pay for lockers and yearbooks, etc. as they tour the school. A transition committee works with students and teachers to ensure that the transition from elementary to middle school is smooth and students are ready to handle the transition.
  • In addition, upcoming 5th grade students from our feeder schools visit HMS and visit with students to get a feel for the teachers, classes, and schedule.
  • HMS implemented aTeachers as Advisors Program in 08-09. Each faculty member has a group of 15 students that they meet with every Wednesday for 40 minutes as they explore topics such as career management, academic achievement, and life skills. This program ensures that each child has at least one caring adult in the building.
  • Counselors work with students on team with career guidance, bullying, and other issues that adolescents deal with in middle school.
  • Teachers are trained to recognize and handle situations that are problematic for the students.
  • Parent University is scheduled yearly to assist parents with the issues that affect their students as they attend middle school.
  • HMS provides one counselor per grade level as well as a school nurse, graduation coach and resource officer who provides special assistance to students and their families. Other services are available through social workers.
  • Teachers provide standards based learning activities that are designed to promote creativity, curiosity, and development of social skills in a structured and supportive environment.
  • A variety of instructional strategies are employed as well as procedures and routines to establish effective classroom management. HMS has an assertive discipline plan that allows teachers to handle minor issues on team before they result in office referrals.
  • Study and organizational skills are addressed by teachers in TAA as well as in each academic and connection classroom. Students are required to keep organized notebooks and teachers perform notebook checks to monitor organization. Students are required to keep an agenda book to record homework and grades.
  • Students have access to state of the art technology in the classrooms such as Airliners, laptops, smartboards and computer microscopes. Teachers ensure that the curriculum is tied to the personal and career interests of the students. They are given opportunities to talk about the issues they deal with on a daily basis not only in their own lives but in their community and the world.
  • The HMS counselors provide peer mediation for students involved in conflicts. Students are taught to make informed choices, to work collaboratively with others in groups, and how to resolve conflicts. Team work is a theme that is stressed and incorporated throughout the school.
  • HMS has a Career Day each year to give students an opportunity to learn about various careers. The 8th grade teams visit local college campuses to learn about the programs of study available at each school.
  • HMS has a student advisory counsel made up of students from each team. This group meets with the Principal regularly to discuss topics related to the school. Through this counsel, student representatives are given a voice to ask questions and participate in decisions. Teachers and administrators promote an open door policy for students. Teachers utilize student-led parent conferences in an effort to promote student involvement and accountability.
  • Through writing, reading across the curriculum, and problem-solving activities, teachers use an interdisciplinary approach in order to reinforce important concepts, skills, and addressing real world problems.
  • Students are given many opportunities to explore a rich variety of topics and interests in order to develop their own identity, to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and make plans for their future. This is done through classroom guidance, clubs, career day, TAA and “reality checks” with counselors for students who are struggling academically. School-wide emphasis is placed on high expectations when establishing academic and career goals.
  • Parents and community members are informed and encouraged to participate in school activities and decision-making through HMS parent/teacher organization, HMS website, Community Partners in Education, Parent Connect, Parent Link, and School Council.
  • Students are given many opportunities to develop their citizenship skills and use the community as their classroom as they involve the community in their learning through events such CPIE breakfast, Honeybee Pageant, Jingle Bell Festival, Parent University, mock elections, tournaments, canned food drives, and letters to our military soldiers.
  • Students are able to foster social skills and character, and to develop their own interests outside the classroom through participation in clubs, sports, connection classes, chorus, band, art exhibits, Pure Love Conference, and Power Team presentations.

Social Equity

  • HMS has high academic and behavioral expectations for all students.
  • The faculty and administration of HMS are committed to do whatever it takes for students to succeed.
  • Students are offered opportunities for tutoring, Blueprint classes (remediation), differentiated instruction, heterogeneous grouping, mentoring, advanced math courses, technology training, after school program and extended learning classes, and summer school
  • Instruction and assessments are varied and differentiated based upon the needs and interests of the students.
  • Teachers meet weekly to discuss units/lessons and student work. Teachers participate in professional development opportunities based upon needs identified within the school.
  • The high performance leadership team and team leaders meet regularly to discuss programs, curriculum and other ways to improve the performance of the students.
  • HMS believes in providing full access to all resources for students as they research and analyze data and learn to solve problems.
  • All students have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities and classes.
  • Students are given opportunities to learn about other cultures through the Asian Cultural Festival, Taiwanese Young Folk Sports Troupe, guest speakers, and through academic studies.
  • Students are valued and respected and each student has one significant person who is an advocate and supporter for that student.
  • The faculty and administration is committed to providing a culturally diverse faculty for the school and community.
  • Teachers, students, parents and community members are kept informed of the rules and discipline code through the student handbook, agenda, assertive discipline plan, teacher/school web pages, resources officer, classroom management classes, discipline newsletters, graduation coach and counselors.

Organizational Supports

  • HMS shares their mission and vision statement with students, parents and community by ensuring it is posted in every classroom, in the hallways and on the school website.
  • HMS has formed various committees that are critical to the school’s success. These committees analyze, plan and develop programs that are incorporated in the school. These committees are the following: High Performance Leadership Team, School Council, Team Leaders, Department Heads, Administration, Transition Committee, and SEEDS (new teacher program).
  • Professional learning opportunities are available throughout the school year. The basis of these classes are determined by faculty needs, in-service training, technology needs, Academic Coach, Curriculum Director, continued GPS training, unit revisions and Learning Focused Schools strategies
  • County wide in-service training for data analysis, unit revisions, curriculum mapping, common assessments, transitions, vertical teaming and new teacher orientation ensures that HMS is a part of the Lowndes County School System.
  • HMS has developed a data room that is utilized by all faculty members to assist with the school improvement plan to ensure student success.
  • HMS partners with Valdosta State University to mentor student teachers.
  • HMS’ community is a large aspect in our continued success. HMS currently has over thirty Community Partners in Education, as well as access to over sixty Partners At Large (who service both Lowndes County and Valdosta City Schools).
  • The Parent Teacher Organization at HMS continues to grow each year. The PTO works hard to assist teachers and provide the teachers with needed support.
  • HMS’ school website is continuously updated to provide students, parents and community with the most current information. The website also provides links for communication with school employees, resource for parents, teachers and students, the school improvement plan and numerous other resources to work towards student success.