Description

Creekside Middle School opened in newly constructed facilities in the fall of 1995, and our campus is among the most modern and beautiful in Northern California. Our mission is to meet the unique educational and developmental needs of students in their transition from childhood to early adulthood, and we are committed to helping all students achieve their social, emotional, academic, and physical potential in an environment that is both safe and nurturing. 

Every member of Creekside’s staff genuinely likes middle school students. We recognize that early adolescence is a critically important and unique time for our students, and we are dedicated to doing whatever it takes for each one to succeed.

We have a very positive learning environment at Creekside, and it is based on a clear understanding of our students’ developmental needs. We recognize that young adolescents need an atmosphere of structure. They need to know what is expected of them, and they need to understand the consequences—both positive and negative—of their actions. Teachers and support staff throughout Creekside emphasize three basic themes: Safety, Respect, and Responsibility, and we work together to reach two important goals:

1. Creating finest educational environment possible—providing a setting which is safe, pleasant, and in which our students’ right to learn and our teachers’ right to teach is respected and protected.

2. Teaching how to solve life’s problems—helping students acquire the tools necessary to deal successfully with personal difficulties, obstacles, and conflicts.

Our campus is a beautiful “state-of-the-art facility” that opened in the Fall of 1995. The award- winning architecture is contemporary, yet recalls our community's rich agricultural roots. Features include a fiber optic network and computers with Internet access in each classroom. Satellite and the closed circuit video programming can be accessed by teachers in their classrooms, too.

We currently serve approximately 800 students. In order to create smaller learning communities within this larger school environment, we are organized into grade-level “Houses.” This allows students to “connect” better with each other and with a team of core teachers who share the same students. It also enables teams of teachers to work collaboratively within each House and grade-level to enhance academic achievement, provide a sense of belonging, and facilitate parent-school communication.

Parent involvement constitutes one of Creekside’s greatest strengths, and we actively encourage parent participation in a wide variety of school events. Opportunities range from a simple “Second Cup of Coffee,” (parents are welcomed into the staff lounge just to have a cup of coffee with the principal and chat), to important leadership positions. We consider parents to be equal partners with us in providing the best education possible. 
 

For example, parents share a leadership role with teachers and administrators via our “Site-Based Committee,” which is responsible for identifying areas of need, establishing priorities for improvement, working with staff to develop goals and activities that will increase student success, allocating discretionary resources, and monitoring progress.

Also, our Parent-Teacher-Student Organization (PTSO) enhances Creekside’s educational programs and learning environment in many ways, such as helping out as classroom volunteers, providing instructional supplies and materials, organizing book fairs, chaperoning dances, providing staff appreciation luncheons, and assisting with “Falcon Days,” field trips, awards ceremonies, etc. In addition to the benefits of active involvement by literally hundreds of volunteers each year, parents provide much needed financial support, as well (e.g., this year’s parent-organized “Pledge-A-Thon” raised over $30,000 for the needs of our school).

Parents at Creekside Middle School work as a team with school staff, and everyone benefits from the experience.