Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School

Welcome to Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, an exemplary school in Prince George’s County. As a staff, we support the mission of Prince George’s County Public Schools, which is to ensure that all students acquire knowledge and develop skills that will enable them to become productive citizens and lifetime learners. Strong instructional leadership, high expectations and an emphasis on learning in a safe and orderly school environment characterize MLK. Teams of teachers will closely monitor your academic progress and make appropria

te instructional adjustments to your program. All stakeholders; parents, students, and staff sign a Parent Agreement Form outlining expectations for attendance, behavior and academics. It is our belief that each and every student who attends MLK has the potential to be successful if he or she is committed to striving for academic excellence.

MLK parents are expected to be involved to a high degree in the academic progress of their children. A computerized progress report and report card are sent home twice each quarter giving parents an update on current academic progress in each subject. Parent, student and teacher conferences are scheduled to discuss overall progress and to develop a plan of action to be mutually implemented. Parents receive a weekly newsletter to apprise them of current events. Homework is assigned on a nightly basis to reinforce the teaching and learning process. Students are required to use their Agenda Books to record homework assignments and parents are expected to monitor progress to ensure completion of assignments.

It is our hope that your middle school experience will be a positive one. A strong academic focus, a commitment to community service, and extracurricular enrichment activities will prepare you for the high school years to come. A shared accountability between you, your parents and the MLK staff will guarantee your success. Our vision is reflected in our school motto: “Success Today – Success Tomorrow.”

As a staff we look forward to working with you in the 2007 - 2008 school year.

· An overall environment stressing disciplined behavior, regular attendance, and punctuality

· Parent involvement in the monitoring of homework assignments and academic progress

· Emphasis on excellence in reading, writing, mathematics, science, geography, history and foreign language

· Latin I, Spanish I, Algebra I and Geometry are offered for high school credit

· Diverse literature is used as the background for reading, writing, vocabulary development and discussion

· Hands-on science with an emphasis on problem solving, and a voluntary science fair project

· Creative arts classes provide students with an opportunity to pursue individual areas of interest

· Research skills are taught in grade 7 with a completed research paper required in grade 8

· Extra-curricular activities compliment academic studies and promote self-discipline and teamwork

The Board of Education of Prince George’s County does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, origin, sex, marital status, or disability.

The mission of Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School is to foster the growth of knowledge, skills, and personal development enabling all students to achieve their potential. We will accomplish our mission by maintaining high expectations, a positive and safe environment, effective home-school communication, and frequent assessment of student progress. We share this responsibility with students and parents.

School Demographics
As of September 2006, King’s current student population (inclusive of 59 second year Choice students) arrived from 12 feeder elementary schools from the communities of Laurel, Beltsville, Hyattsville, Adelphi, and all areas north of the Central Avenue line. These communities can best be described as suburban, middle-class, and multi-cultural in nature. Of our 733 students, King’s racial populations consist of less than 1% American Indian or Alaskan Native, 10% Asian Pacific Islander, 49% African American, 17% White, and 24% Hispanic. Nine percent of our population are English Language Learners (ELL). We have 51% males and 49% females. Our special education students comprise 9% of our population and FARMS, 36%. Mobility entrants make up 12% of the student population and withdrawals 11%. The professional staff at MLK consists of a principal, two assistant principals, a reading coordinator, a technology coordinator, two counselors, 46 teachers, two paraprofessional aides, two parent liaisons, one media aide and 20 support staff members, and one registered nurse who are responsible for the guidance and main offices, cafeteria, and the maintenance of our building. The level of experience of the professional staff is unique to this school. Thirty-five staff members hold Advanced Professional Certificates, 13 hold Standard Professional Certificates, and five hold Provisional Certificates. An active PTA supports all school initiatives and in 2006-2007 had over 244 members. A volunteer list has been compiled and parent support is available. Kirk Nicodemus Associates, LLC, will participate in our annual awards assembly, and will provide savings bonds to three students. Rosso Music Center supports the instrumental music department by making free instrument repairs and offering discounts to students. We are an active University of Maryland Professional Development School (PDS) and train several teacher interns each year. The facility is well maintained and is often used by community groups for meetings or sports activities as well as by Maryland National Capital Park and Planning for summer day camp. The Parents Assisting Teachers (PAT) Program provided six trained parent volunteers for classroom support. In addition to these parents, 18 were fingerprinted in accordance to the county security policy.

I. Attendance: Students will demonstrate significant progress toward maintaining or exceeding MSDE standards of 94% or better in attendance. Teachers will maintain a 95% or better attendance rate.

II. Self-Management: Improved student self-management skills will result in a more positive learning environment. Less than 5% of the student body will be suspended. 50% of the student body will attain honor roll status during the 2007 - 2008 school year.

III.Competency: Students will continue to meet or exceed the Proficient Standard on the Maryland School Assessments.

Long Range Goals for Prince George’s County Public Schools

The Quality Schools Program Strategic Plan for PGCPS is built upon far–reaching, long term, major goals that reflect the priorities and needs of the school system. The seven priority goals that have been established for the Prince George’s County School System and adapted to align with the School Improvement Plan are:

1. By 2013-2014, all students will reach high standards in core curricular areas,

2. All English Language Learners will become proficient in English and reach high

3. All students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug free

Directions to Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School
Mapquest Map Directions
Text Directions:

From Route 1- Turn west (Left from Rt 1 north, Right from Rt. 1 South) onto Ritz Way. Continue on Ritz Way, it will turn into Virginia Manor Rd., then it will merge onto Ammendale road. The school will be on the left.
From I -95 North or South - take the MD. 212 East – Powder Mill Rd. exit towards Beltsville. There will be a light at the top of a hill, continue through the light and Powder Mill Rd will change to Ammedale Rd. The school is about 1/2 mile on the right.
From Powder Mill Rd. West - Powder Mill Rd. will make a sharp turn to the right onto Old Gunpowder Rd. Turn right at the first light onto Ammedale Rd. The school is about 1/2 mile on the right.