Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch - School Tours





Rising Starr Middle School



Designated 2004, Redesignated 2007, 2010
Rising Starr Middle School • Fayette County School District • Fayette County • Georgia • Len Patton, Principal • 183 Panther Path, Fayetteville GA 30215 • Phone (770) 486-2721, Fax (770) 486-2727

Website: www.rsms.org
Email: patton.len@fcboe.org


2009-2010 School Statistics

Community: Suburb of large city, Atlanta
Enrollment: 1076
Grade Levels: 6-8
School Schedule: 7 period day

Student Demographics
3.8%   Hispanic
82.1%   White
7.2%   African American
3.8%   Asian
2.7%   Multiracial

8%   Free/Reduced Lunch
2%   English Learners

Math* Reading / Lang. Arts*
2005 AYP: 94.5 96.1
2006 AYP: 95.2 97.2
2007 AYP: 95.6 98.4
**2008 AYP: 92 98
2009 AYP:

*Percentage of students Meeting or Exceeding Standards
** Estimated scores until GaDOE report card availability


School Characteristics and Replicable Practices


Academic Excellence

  • Teachers use “backwards design” for units.
  • No-conference Tuesdays and Professional Learning Groups allow teachers time to plan together.
  • Starr Time, a 20-minute period at the end of the day, allows students to organize for learning, work one-on-one with teachers, make up work, finish assignments, or work on reading goal.
  • Adopt-a-Team: during Starr Time connections teachers work with a team of students to assist students in organization or academics. The connection teachers are considered to be part of the team and are included in many team activities.
  • Writing Across the Curriculum – every student writes every day and at least once a week in all classes, including connections classes.
  • Authentic assessments including products and hands-on projects that demonstrate learning.
  • An increasing level of technology is available for students and teachers to enhance the learning process.
  • Students are given quick benchmark assessments in order to identify those who need extra academic support.
  • Interdisciplinary units and thematic teaching allow students to experience the curriculum in a real-world way as well as promoting team comradery.
  • Special education students are taught collaboratively in the regular classroom.
  • Gifted classes are taught as team classes without the use of pull-outs.
  • Connection classes work to support the regular curriculum whenever possible.
  • Graduation coaches as well as the Student Support Team identify students who are at risk and work to develop individual strategies for success.
  • The counselors have established “The Dug-Out,” a place where students can go before and after school and during Starr Time for extra academic help.

Developmental Responsiveness

  • A wide variety of clubs and extra-curricular activities are offered for students.
  • Connections classes are high interest and hands-on.
  • Interscholastic sports as well as intramurals are available.
  • Channel 17 Action News is a daily broadcast produced by students.
  • WRSM 101.5, a school radio station, is a high interest opportunity for students interested in broadcasting.
  • Team-building activities provide the students with a sense of belonging and acceptance.
  • Teaching teams have celebrations and recognitions on a regular basis.
  • The RSMS Student Council serves to give students a voice and to encourage community service.
  • Panther Partners, a student ambassador group, assists new students entering RSMS and help host many school functions.
  • An engaging, interrelated curriculum is offered to address the learning needs of young adolescents.

Social Equity

  • There are high expectations for achievement for ALL students.
  • RTI (Responses to Intervention) provides a framework for meeting the academic needs of struggling learners.
  • Special education students are taught collaboratively in the regular classroom.
  • ESL students are immersed in regular classes while receiving support as small groups.
  • Teaching teams seek to give positive recognitions to all students.
  • Students are recognized for demonstrating good character through “Caught Ya!” program.
  • Classes are heterogeneous with the exception of mathematics.
  • In order to provide a safe environment for learning, RSMS staff is constantly on the alert for bullying among the students.

Organizational Supports

  • A strong leadership team, which includes a liaison from each area of the staff, assists the administration in analyzing data, setting instructional goals, and providing the very best experience possible for the students.
  • No-Conference Tuesdays guarantee that at least one day per week teachers have uninterrupted planning time.
  • Professional Learning Groups are scheduled on two Tuesdays per month so that teachers can plan and learn together in grade-level, subject area groups.
  • Instructional time at Rising Starr is valued, and interruptions to learning are kept to a minimum.
  • The school day is uninterrupted by bells. The academic time is divided into periods, but teachers have the ultimate control as to the use of that time and may change team schedule as needed.