Highly Qualified Staff

The Lancer family staff members at Piedmont Middle School are committed to promoting high academic achievement for all students in a caring, nurturing, learning environment.  The staff is highly qualified to meet and support the diverse needs of our students.   Teachers collaborate in professional teams to review data and discuss grade level and department needs.  The Piedmont Middle School site team consists of the following members: teachers, counselors, social workers, a media technician, instructional aides, office staff, and the administrative team.  Our collective goal is to work together to provide a comprehensive school experience for all students that focuses on their overall well being and their academic success.

Student Achievement

Piedmont teachers teach and implement the Common Core state standards within the framework of the district approved adopted curricular materials.  Our expectation is that with appropriate supports, students master the state content standards for each course, and demonstrate the required knowledge and skills to become proficient in each core area of instruction. Piedmont teachers are committed to improving their own skill base using the most current research-based strategies about how students learn.  They take advantage of professional development opportunities at the school site, through the district and outside of our district to remain on the cutting edge of their profession.  Support programs are offered to students after school to further improve their knowledge base and skills.  Piedmont teachers make themselves available before and after school to provide extra student support and to meet with parents for conferences.  

Curriculum

Instructional practices revolve around 21st Century Skill-based learning and encompass critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication. Piedmont students are taught to apply complex reasoning skills in all subject areas in group or individual projects with an emphasis on technology.  District adopted materials are further enhanced by technology-based supplemental programs in Language Arts and Mathematics.  Piedmont has adopted Achieve 3000, a program that enhances individual student reading and comprehension skills. DreamBox is a technology-based program that supports individual student skills in all concepts related to mathematics. Piedmont’s electives program provides students with opportunities to participate in AVID, choir, instrumental music, leadership, life skills, technology and art.  The Physical Education program introduces students to a wide selection of activities to emphasize overall  health and cardiovascular fitness.

Student Support

Piedmont Lancer students have access to multiple sources of counseling services with two onsite counselors, a social worker and a psychologist.  The members of our team provide academic, emotional and social support in a variety of approaches.  Piedmont has adopted PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies) to support and reward students for positive behavior.  School activities such as Leadership, yearbook, language support classes, math support classes and homework club are available throughout the year.  Piedmont hosts a variety of after school sports to provide the experience of team and individual competition.  Students may participate in programs to enhance their leadership skills:  the WEB program (Where Everybody Belongs), Go Green (environment), the AVID Program (Advancement Via Individual Determination) are programs that supplement the overall academic experience.