Adairsville Middle School is the third of five Bartow County schools and first middle school to be named a Model Professional Learning Community for its sustained success in raising student achievement! This week, we will continue highlighting all five schools, building leaders, and their keys to academic success.
“When I heard the news, I felt jubilation and validation,” said AMS Principal Tony Stanfill. I felt jubilation for being chosen as a Model PLC School and excitement to see that AMS is using the collaborative process to provide students with quality education, enrichment, and remediation. I also felt validation that our staff's hard work is not going unnoticed! In an extremely difficult year, my faculty, staff, and students were able toobtain State STEM Certification and Model PLC status!”
The school’s successful implementation of PLC’s was a major contributing factor in the improved achievement of its students. PLC’s are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to:
1. Focus on learning.
2. Build a collaborative culture.
3. Create a results orientation.
“We earned this achievement though collaboration, a focus on results, and my staff's willingness to do what it takes to help our students,” added Stanfill. “There is a lot more that goes into achieving Model PLC status, but our willingness to continue to push kids and teachers to be the best they can be is the foundation for our success.”
Schools are recognized based on strict criteria, including demonstration of a commitment to PLC concepts, implementation of these concepts for at least three years, and clear evidence of improved student learning over that period. Once measurable results can be seen, the school must explain its practices, structures, and culture, and then submit its application for consideration by the PLC Review Committee.
“From here, we need to continue collaborating, focusing on results, and setting high standards for learning,” said Stanfill.
AMS, CLES, and WES now join the Bartow County School System as they celebrate Model PLC School and Model PLC District status.