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Vidge Middle School credits PLCs, new advisory time and targeted interventions for test‑score gains
Summary
Vidge (Bidge/View Ridge) Middle School leaders told the board the school saw measurable gains in ELA and math after adopting collaborative PLTs, the Edge Gems math curriculum and expanded advisory/Character Strong work; staff outlined SIP goals and tiered interventions aimed at raising proficiency by June 2026.
Vidge Middle School principal Ian Mansfield and his leadership team reported measurable academic gains and new student‑support practices during the board meeting, crediting professional learning teams, new materials and expanded advisory time with strengthening student outcomes.
Assistant Principal Brian Heim said the school recorded notable growth between the 2023–24 and 2024–25 years, highlighting an unusual near‑5% increase between seventh and eighth grade cohorts that defies the typical decline those grades experience. Heim attributed the gains to three factors: collaborative PLTs, adoption of the Edge Gems math curriculum, and targeted hiring.
Administrative intern Vanessa Carson presented the school's math improvement plan, noting the SIP math goal: increase overall math proficiency from 48% to 60% by June 2026. She described intervention strategies: frequent common formative assessments, team analysis (TAKA form), heron‑time interventions that run two to three times weekly, and a planned seven‑week module‑based Tier 3 class to support foundational gaps.
Principal Mansfield also described a social‑emotional push: the school added daily advisory (20 minutes on four days each week) and implemented the Character Strong curriculum to boost belonging and attendance. A short video of eighth‑grade students was shown; students said advisory made them feel "more connected" and helped them build peer relationships.
Board members asked practical questions about the transition to a 6–8 grade configuration and opportunities for sixth‑grade athletics. Mansfield and Athletic Director Brennan Shipley said the district is exploring expanding sixth‑grade participation in individualized sports such as track, cross country and wrestling; some team sports at the sixth‑grade level are uncommon in regional leagues.
The board praised the data focus and staff collaboration. Administrators flagged special‑education support and ongoing work to close subgroup achievement gaps; staff emphasized the work remains iterative as they pursue SIP targets.
Next steps: the board will continue to monitor SIP data and implementation fidelity; the school plans targeted interventions over the remaining weeks before statewide assessments.
