Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning: A Comprehensive Overview
Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning is a public middle school located in Staten Island, New York City. Situated in a large city setting, the school serves students in grades 6-8. Known for its expeditionary learning approach, the school aims to cultivate critical thinking skills and perseverance through in-depth study across multiple academic subjects.
General Information
The student population at Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning is 419. The school has a minority student enrollment of 57%. Approximately 60% of the students are economically disadvantaged. The school employs 37 full-time teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 11:1, which is better than that of the district. The student body comprises 49% female students and 51% male students.
Academic Performance
Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning demonstrates solid academic performance. According to government data, 48% of students scored at or above the proficient level in math, and 65% scored at or above that level in reading. These figures indicate that the school performs better than the New York City Public Schools district average, where 47% of students tested at or above the proficient level for reading and 38% for math. When compared to the state average, Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning also outperforms, as 46% of students in New York tested at or above the proficient level for reading and 41% in math.
Rankings
Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning's statewide ranking in New York, out of 1389 schools, is determined by several factors, including reading and math proficiency. The school's reading proficiency rank is #266 (tie), and its math proficiency rank is #325 (tie). The school's reading and math performance are considered "Well Above Expectations."
Expeditionary Learning Approach
The core philosophy of Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning revolves around the concept that children develop critical thinking skills and important traits such as perseverance when they study topics deeply and across multiple academic subjects. This approach, known as expeditionary learning, is integrated into various aspects of the curriculum.
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Sample Expeditions
The school incorporates expeditions that delve into topics traditionally taught in middle school, such as ancient civilizations and early-20th-century immigration to the United States. For example, an 8th-grade expedition called "The Price of Progress" begins in social studies, where students research immigrant life and visit the Tenement Museum. Other expeditions explore local interests. Sixth-graders learn about the nearby Fresh Kills Landfill, which was once the largest landfill in the world and has since been converted into a public park. In a math class, students were observed working in groups on surveys they developed based on their science class's study of Fresh Kills' air quality and environmental pollutants.
Group Work and Student Ownership
Group work is a fundamental aspect of instruction throughout the school. It is common to hear students working together in classrooms. According to Cara De Angelo, the school's principal since September 2013, students have true ownership of the experience and get excited about what they are learning.
Crew System
Each teacher serves as an advisor to a small group of students called a "crew" and stays with the same crew for their three years at the school. This system provides students with a safe place and ensures they have access to support from their crew teacher and crew members when needed.
Passages
Each 8th-grader participates in a pre-graduation tradition called "passages." This is a private event where the student reflects on work from all three years before an audience of their family and a few staff members and students.
School Facilities
Marsh Avenue School shares facilities with CSI International High School and the Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School. The spacious and airy structure is thoughtfully configured, with each school housed in its own dedicated wing of the building, designed with its own main entrance and main office space.
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Post-Graduation
Most students stay on Staten Island for high school. Popular choices include CSI International, Gaynor McCown, and Staten Island Tech.
Special Education
Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning offers various special education services, including integrated co-teaching classes, SETSS classes, and a self-contained 12:1 class on every grade.
Admission
Admission to Marsh Avenue School for Expeditionary Learning is through a District 31 lottery. Parents must attend an open house and sign in. The school receives roughly 1300 applications for 150 seats. Busing is provided for students.
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