Continuous School Improvement Plan
Frederick County Public Schools is dedicated to continuous improvement. Our school principals lead efforts to plan, implement, and review their goals, using a variety of data to make sure we’re always moving in the right direction. School and division plans are monitored for progress and updated quarterly to support our commitment to our students and their families.
This information keeps families informed about our progress and the status of school goals. You’ll find updates and insights as we work together to improve student learning and school performance.
School Profile Information
School: James Wood Middle School
Principal: Rita Merriner
Enrollment: 874
School Vision Statement
Practicing compassion, advocacy, resilience, and empathy to make positive contributions to our community.
School Mission Statement
BETTER TOGETHER!
Goal #1
By June of 2026, unadjusted pass rates will increase by 5% percentage points above the baseline for all student groups in all SOL-tested content areas.
Student Measure #1: 85% of all students will be proficient in the classroom using evidence-based, Tier 1 instructional strategies, as measured by IXL, Edia, and common assessments.
Student Measure #2: 85% of students will demonstrate growth on content-specific assessments (VGA and SOL assessments).
Staff Measure #1: By June 2026, after receiving professional learning in evidence-based practices based on data-informed decisions, 6th-8th-grade teachers will demonstrate the application of these practices gathered through a review of lesson plans created during CLTs and/or observations using a common walkthrough tool.
Staff Measure #2: By June 2026, teachers will create and implement lessons aligned with the content and cognitive depth of the standards, demonstrating evidence-based practices, and engage in data-driven conversations to inform instructional decisions.
| Date | Status | Progress Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| November 2025 | On Track | Student measure: IXL: 8th gr. 40% on or above grade level, an increase of 4% for the cohort of students. 7th gr 53% on or above grade level, an increase of 17% for the cohort of students. 6th gr 36% on or above grade level Edia: Math 6 21% demonstrating mastery, Math 6/7 45 %, Math 7 26%, Math ⅞ 34%, Math 8 20%, Alg I 81 % CUA: 6th grade 39% demonstrating proficient/mastery, 7th grade 57% demonstrating proficient/mastery; 8th gr 58% demonstrating proficient/mastery Science Skills: 6th grade 19% demonstrating proficient/mastery, 7th gr 8% demonstrating proficient/mastery, 8th gr 14% demonstrating proficient/mastery Staff measure: Participation in professional learning Opportunity Myth and Discourse. Weekly CLT meetings, monthly content department meetings. |
| March 2026 | ||
| June 2026 |
Goal #2
By June 2027, teachers will create a professional learning community to be implemented in the fall of 2027.
Student Measure #1: By June 2026, 90% of students will participate in common assessments in 2 of the 4 core areas.
Student Measure #2: By June of 2027, students will increase performance on common assessments in 2 of 4 core areas by 5%.
Staff Measure #1: By June 2026, staff will recognize and understand the importance of an effective professional learning community using data to guide instructional practices.
Staff Measure #2: By June 2027, staff will analyze and evaluate the importance of the professional learning community using data to guide instructional practices.
| Date | Status | Progress Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| November 2025 | On Track |
Leadership participation in Solution Focused PLC conference. Clarified vision within the leadership team. Implement weekly leadership team meetings with an instructional focus.. Completed Strengths Finder to identify leadership strengths within the team. |
| March 2026 | ||
| June 2026 |
Goal #3
By June 2027, 100% of our teachers will participate in professional development focused on classroom discourse, with at least 85% of teachers demonstrating Level 2 discourse in the areas of questioning and teacher role, as evidenced in the discourse rubric.
Student Measure #1: By June 2026, 90% of students score at least a 70% on 2 out of 4 common assessments in the core areas.
Student Measure #2: By June of 2027, students will increase performance on common assessments in 2 of 4 core areas by 5%.
Staff Measure #1: By June 2026, teachers will recognize and understand the benefits of discourse in their classrooms using the discourse rubric and peer observations.
Staff Measure #2: By June 2027, teachers will implement and evaluate effective discourse strategies to include questioning and the teacher's role in the classroom as evidenced in lesson plans and walk-through data.
| Date | Status | Progress Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| November 2025 | On Track |
Participation in Discourse PD, agreed to 3 discourse questions as a school, teachers familiar with discourse rubric, walk through schedule for teachers developed with begin date of December 2025. |
| March 2026 | ||
| June 2026 |
Goal #4
By June 2026, JWMS will improve the overall school climate by implementing a multi-tiered system of supports.
Student Measure #1: A 15% decrease in office referrals.
Student Measure #2: A decrease in chronic absenteeism
Staff Measure #1: An increase in staff perception of student-managed behaviors by 10% from 60% to 70% on a school climate staff survey.
Staff Measure #2: An increase of 13% (from 67% to 80%) in staff reporting of overall school climate, as measured by the school climate staff survey.
| Date | Status | Progress Narrative |
|---|---|---|
| November 2025 | On Track | PBIS committee formed, monthly meetings held and scheduled. Implemented positive referrals for students Tracking system for positive referrals received Staff incentive for completion of positive referrals Lessons around expected behaviors |
| March 2026 | ||
| June 2026 |
For more information about James Wood Middle School's Continuous Improvement Plan please join us at our quarterly events or reach out to the school principal.