About Ardsley Middle School

Ardsley Middle School is proud of its history and excels in preparing our students for their future. As a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence we take pride in the programs we are able to offer to our students. Our teachers are dedicated professionals that believe in the mission statement, "Success for All."

Ardsley Middle School serves approximately 740 students in grades 5-8. Our staff is comprised of a building principal, assistant principal, three full-time guidance counselors, 2.5 school psychologists and eighty teachers. Each grade level meets weekly to discuss the dynamics of their team and the needs of individual students. Teachers utilize this time to collaborate in their planning. This time permits teachers to meet with parents to review the needs of their child. Each department meets weekly to review their curriculum goals, analyze data and discuss trends in their content areas. In addition to the content areas, we offer students Family & Consumer Science, Technology, Health and Guidance, Physical Education, Music, Latin and Art. Our school is fortunate to have an outstanding music department that prepares the students to reach their individual potential

Our academics are rigorous to meet the high standards of our community. We offer a balanced literacy approach to reading and writing using the workshop model. Our math program continues to refine the students' ability to build accuracy in their computation and deepen their problem solving skills. Students demonstrating the ability to accelerate in math are offered the opportunity to explore advanced concepts in sixth grade. Science is a hands-on program promoting inquiry-based learning through investigations. Students are given the opportunity to accelerate in Earth Science in eighth grade. In Social Studies teachers deliver their content in a manner that promotes the use of critical thinking skills and analysis. Our current World Language program is delivered everyday to students in grades seven and eight, in addition to exposure to Latin in grades five and six.

In addition to offering acceleration to students in math, science and world languages, we have designed programs to meet the individual needs of our at-risk or designated students. The pacing of these programs is modified to allow the students to develop a deeper, richer understanding of the curriculum. In addition, we work with students that struggle to meet proficiency in the areas of Math and English Language Arts through academic intervention services.

As a middle school we are thrilled to offer an enrichment period at the end of the day titled, CAP (Constructive Activity Period) that allows students the opportunity to explore topics in a risk-free, supportive environment. No assessments or homework are given. Students are able to choose specialized areas in art, science, physical fitness, character education or foreign language. A few of the offering include painting, wire sculpture, green technology, experiments in Science, debate, character development, Cinemania, strength training, team building, sport statistics, accelerated mathematics, finance fitness, German, Japanese and Darfur Coalition Jr. As the program has grown, so have the offerings. We recently added review classes to students for Integrated Algebra, Earth Science and Spanish Oral Proficiency.
After-school our students have a variety of options to explore including co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. For modified and interscholastic sports we offer baseball, lacrosse, basketball, wrestling, football, soccer, volleyball, softball, track and swimming in our own swimming pool. For those that prefer math we offer competitions that allow students to practice their skills against area district schools at the regional state and national levels. Our Science Olympiad has also seen success at the regional, state and national levels. Others prefer to highlight their talents in the annual musical production incorporating grades 5-8. We have an active student government that organizes evening events including dances, recreation programs and community service events. Our students are responsible for producing their own publication, The Cougar News which is supervised by two teachers.

Ardsley Middle School students have consistently shown their skills in their area of music through the participating and selection in regional events such as All County Band, Orchestra and Chorus. Additional honors are given in the area of foreign language sponsored by the American Association of Teachers in Foreign Language.