Services
Attend Advisory: Our advisories run each morning from 7:45 - 8:05. They are essential to creating small, caring communities within the school.
Shadow a Student: Spend part or all of your day with one of our students, traveling with them to different classes. See the school from a different perspective.
Visit Classes: Many of our teachers are willing to open their doors to visitors. You may request a visit to a specific grade or course, or you may choose a random selection to get a better overview of a number of our courses.
Interview Staff: What are your particular areas of interest or concern? Who might be able to answer your questions? We can set up a half hour to forty-five minute interview with folks who can help you. You may choose between teachers, support staff and administration.
Attend a Team Meeting: We have four seventh and four eighth grade teams which each meet for one planning period per day. During their meetings they plan curriculum, look at student work, meet with parents and support staff and plan special programs such as exhibitions, field trips and assemblies. These are a cornerstone of the middle school program, so we would encourage you to attend at least one of these.
Attend a Leadership Team Meeting: This is another vitally important part of the Turning Points design. Each constituency within the building sends a representative to a Leadership Team meeting once a month where school improvement issues are discussed and implemented within a collaborative setting. Leadership Team meets on the last Tuesday of each month from 2:30 - 4:00.
Attend an Inquiry Group Meeting: One of the central focuses of Turning Points is the use of data-based decision making. Inquiry groups were formed based on needs that emerged from our self study and on-going data collection. Groups meet monthly on our late start days beginning at 8:00 and ending at 9:30. Link to a current listing of this year's focus groups.
Meet with In-house Coaches: The coaches work both formally and informally to foster a professional collaborative culture focused on improving student learning. They would be happy to discuss their roles with you.
View Exhibition Tapes: Students are engaged in several methods of demonstrating their learning throughout the year. These tapes show students presenting their work in a variety of formats.
Meet with Director of After School Program: Savuka, our after school program, offers tutoring in addition to a variety of enrichment offerings including a courses in writing and photography, mountain biking, cooking as well as free time in the gym.
Meet with Student Services Coordinator: Denise Green has forged connections with the Amherst community bringing in members of the Rotary Club and senior citizens to tutor students during the school day.