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Williston Middle School details attendance, engagement and new house-based reorganization
Summary
Presenters from Williston Middle School Central Campus told the board the campus serves about 1,603 5th–8th graders, outlined a 10% student-achievement growth goal tied to student engagement, and described new ambassador and teacher-assistant programs plus a house-based reorganization to reduce crowding and build belonging.
Williston Middle School Central Campus staff presented program and performance updates to the Williston Basin School District No. 7 board, saying the campus currently enrolls about 1,603 students in grades five through eight and is prioritizing student engagement to reduce chronic absenteeism and increase achievement.
The presenter told the board the district's data show room for improvement in growth measures and set a school goal of increasing student achievement by 10 percent, supported by three focus areas: academic rigor, chronic-absence reduction and climate and culture improvements. Staff said interventions include daily behavior tracking, weekly positive postcards to families and expanded use of a schoolwide data hub for teachers and deans.
A major classroom- and culture-focused change planned for next year is a house-based reorganization of Central Campus. The plan will divide the campus into two houses; each house will contain sixth, seventh and eighth grade teams to reduce individual team and hallway crowding, allow smaller communities within the campus and support "belonging" initiatives, the presenter said. Staff described steps to phase in the change, including a three-year rolling plan for student course progressions and targeted communications with families and principals.
Program additions highlighted included a teacher-assistant program and a student-ambassador onboarding role for new students; ambassadors shadow new students, help with technology setup and conduct daily check-ins. The robotics team reached state-level competition for the first time in both seventh and eighth grade, staff said, and new elective pathways (STEM, visual and media arts, global-perspective courses) are being expanded to give students early exposure to career pathways.
Board members praised Central Campus leadership for improvements in behavior and attendance and asked clarifying questions about partnership with the high school, which presenters said is already underway for mentoring and expanded program continuity. The board did not take action on the presentation itself; it served as a showcase and planning update.
