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 The district adopted the middle school concept beginning with the 1994-95 school year. The district spent two years seeking input from teachers, parents, and other school districts before switching from the junior high concept to a middle school educational philosophy. BSSD middle schools house grades six, seven, and eight. The middle schools are physically designed to help students make the transition from elementary school to high school. Each middle school has all three grades in one building, yet each is really three schools in one. Other areas such as the gym, cafeteria, art and music rooms, etc. are common to all three grades but are used by only one grade at a time.
Each of the four middle schools is designed with the same physical setup, offer the same classes, start and end at approximately the same time of day, use identical textbooks, are equipped the same, have a student/teacher advisory time, and divide students and teachers into interdisciplinary teams.
Each pupil is on a team of approximately 100 students with a student/teacher ratio of twenty-five to one. Students in each grade work with a team of teachers for their core subjects—math, science, social studies, and language arts. Sixth grade teams include reading; seventh grade teams include academic skills; and eighth grade teams include academic skills.
Because middle school is a time for students to think more seriously about their education and future, block scheduling, team teaching, and advisory times are used. The advisory program is used on a regular basis in each building as a means for at least one adult in the building to get to know each student well. All four schools have designed an advisory program based on the needs and strengths of its staff and student group. Counseling and guidance are provided for students as needs arise.
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