Maricopa Wells Middle showcases small-group interventions and life-skills program

Principal Miller presented a classroom spotlight on Maricopa Wells Middle School on Feb. 26, describing a two-part initiative that pairs a district-funded small-group intervention program with expanded life-skills instruction intended to improve student achievement and postsecondary readiness.

Miller told the Maricopa Unified School District governing board that the math and English-language-arts intervention program targets students based on state assessment results and places them in two 20-minute small-group sessions each week, pulled from electives rather than core classes. "We have 220 kids going through our intervention program now," Miller said, and he described diagnostic checks every three weeks to track growth.

The principal presented interim data showing growth toward proficiency: for math, sixth-grade students showing growth rose from 46% at eight weeks to 89% at 16 weeks and seventh-grade growth rose from 63% to 93% over the same period. For ELA, he said sixth-grade growth rose from 59% at eight weeks to 96% at 16 weeks; seventh-grade growth rose from 36% to 96%.

Miller said the intervention work is funded through the district's vision budgets and credited academic coach Casey Burns for organizing schedules and diagnostics. "Casey does a great job with us," he said, referring to Burns role in targeting students and running progress monitoring.

Miller also described five levels of self-contained life-skills classes aligned to grade-level standards. He introduced life-skills teacher Madel, who demonstrated the Charley Cart, a portable kitchen the district purchased to provide hands-on lessons that integrate math (measurements and ratios), English (reading instructions and vocabulary), social studies (cultural food traditions) and science (nutrition and food safety). "This cart can be a valuable tool as a culminating activity," Madel said, adding that it supports social skills, teamwork and independence.

Board members asked about retention and reach. Vice President Patty Cutray asked whether the intervention had been offered previously; Miller said the approach has been in place two to three years and that the program reached larger numbers this year by focusing on sixth and seventh grades. Board members also asked whether one Charley Cart is sufficient; Madel and Miller said space and staffing constrain expansion but the district could consider additional resources.

Miller said next steps include continuing data-driven interventions, increased use of common formative assessments in PLC meetings and further emphasis on grade-level standards across all programs. He closed by describing the program's intent to prepare all 964 students at Maricopa Wells for high school and beyond.