In the event of a lapse in appropriations after September 30, 2023 leading to a “government shutdown”, DoDEA schools will remain open for normal operations, except for sports (including practices) and extracurricular activities which will pause during a shutdown.
Dear Quantico Middle High School Stakeholders,
It is an honor to serve you and I look forward to a successful year with our wonderful students.
Educate, Engage, and Empower each student to succeed in a dynamic world.
To be among the world's leaders in education, enriching the lives of military-connected students and the communities in which they live.
Quantico Middle High School is proud to offer many programs to support student success. We offer Honors and Advanced Placement courses, Virtual School, Dual Enrollment, MCJROTC, Band, Yearbook, Creative Writing, STEM, Model United Nations, AVID, Special Education and others! We also offer a myriad of extra- curricular activities including sports and clubs! We have something for everyone! We would like for every student to be involved in our school.
Quantico Middle High School's academic focus is supported through memberships with the National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Mathematics Honor Society), and the Chinese Honor Society. We are an AP Honor Roll School (2014-15) and also a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence! (2001-2002)
With the Restructuring for Student Achievement, we are organized as DoDEA's Mid-Atlantic District, the largest in America and we are focused on the full implementation of College and Career Ready Standards. As part of this rollout, our teachers and administrators receive training throughout the school year to ensure that we are providing the challenging curriculum to fully prepare our students for post- secondary success. Our district has implemented a new Alert Notification System, (called ATHOC) as well as a new comprehensive assessment system throughout DoDEA to keep our community informed and to measure student progress. This year, we are also implementing the AVID research-based strategies in order to improve our student's organizational skills and prepare them for success. AVID is a world-wide program that has been in existence since 1980.
Second semester, recognizing the need for additional instructional support for our students, we adjusted the master schedule to allow more time in the advisory block (meets on all RED days) for our students. We are collecting data to determine the outcomes and impact on student achievement. We also implemented a no electronic device policy this year and this has resulted in our students focusing on academics, including minimal grade expectations for participation in all extra-curricular activities. We also have upgraded our academic requirements to participate in extra-curricular activities to support the scholar in all students, whether they participate in sports or other activities. All students who are involved in extra-curricular programs must maintain good grades so that they are positioned for college and career options and other opportunities for advancement.
Our regular school bell schedule is 7:20 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Please see our school calendars and bell schedules for more details. In Warrior Territory, academics, character and preparedness shape our culture. We believe that every student can succeed! In order to achieve success. There are a few items that are very important as we continue to have a strong finish to our school year: These are:
Each of these are important to a successful year and future.
Strong Parent Involvement means parents who are committed to supporting our school. This is accomplished with open communications, checking school information to be current on activities and requirements, ensuring that students are prepared for an engaging, exciting experience, and being involved in the PEA, and with other school organizations, if possible. These actions result in a more informed parent community, and accountability is established early for what students need to do. Attending school events is also important and shows your student that you are interested in their activities. Ensuring that you and the student are aware of and fully following and supporting all school rules and policies is also very important.
Academic Integrity means that our students produce work products that are their own or cite other's work, giving them full credit. This is outlined in our Academic Integrity Code for every student. Students are informed by our instructional staff of appropriate research sites and resources when they have assignments to submit. Our students exhibit high moral character in their works and exhibit integrity for all works submitted to our teachers. Our teachers and Information Specialist stand ready to guide our students when they conduct required research. Our students are assessed and held accountable for producing their individual works. Students and parents should be very familiar with our Academic Integrity Code (pages 63 -64 in our new student planner)
Advocacy and Accountability means from the first day, that students advocate for themselves, speaking up and asking questions. Accountability means students are being held responsible for daily work, homework, maintain academic integrity, and all assignments submitted on time for every class, and that students are prepared for instruction every day.
Organization and time management - We expect our students to know what color day it is (We use a Red/Gold calendar), where their classes are, and to manage time appropriately so that they are in all classes on time every day. DoDEA has a clear attendance policy. This builds individual responsibility and is an excellent habit to grow.
Commitment to study/research - Academics is our first priority. As such, we expect all students to engage in strong study skills and to improve their study and research skills. We will teach them how to research, but will need reinforcement in the home. This develops accountability and responsibility--two values that are very important to us and your child's success. Each student will be provided with a student planner. They are expected to have this item during all classes, every day.
Continuous, open communications between the parents and the school. We want to keep in communication with all parents throughout the school year. This is accomplished in a number of ways, such as through our school website, principal updates, email, phone conferences, parent/student conferences and meetings. We want to keep you informed and welcome your feedback on how we can better serve you and your student. All parents should register for DSIS accounts to monitor their child's grades and attendance often. We can help you with this. Here are a few tips taken from Dr. John M. Grohol, Psy.D:
Follow Up and Follow Through: This means when assignments are due, our students are making sure that they are handed in on time, and if they are to be graded, following through to make sure that you understand why you received the grade. This is part of self-advocacy from the students. It is important that you know that you have a voice. Follow through means when students have completed an assignment, that is it their best work and they follow through until they are fully satisfied that all required items have been met.
Goal setting - Without goals, students do not have a clear path to their future. We expect all students to look at their goals and to adjust based on guidance and further study. Each student is expected to participate in goal setting and to evaluate and reflect on their goals and how they are progressing. Students are expected to meet with their guidance counselor several times throughout the school year to review their goals and to make adjustments if needed, and also to learn about scholarships and other opportunities.
Training continues in CCRSL and CCRSM. We are making the instructional shifts to engage all students. The three instructional shifts we are making in English Language Arts are:
In Mathematics, we will continue implementing the Eight Standards for Mathematical Practice (SMP) which are:
Other curricular areas are also receiving training and are implementing their new information aligned with College and Career Readiness as part of DoDEA's curriculum rollout.
Our high expectations and rigorous curriculum will continue to challenge each student to reach their full potential and to have the needed skills to become effective, contributing members of a global society. College and Career Readiness and 21st century skills are embedded in our classroom instruction and challenging activities!
Our PEA Chair is Mrs. Tara Trimble; her e-mail is peaqmhs@gmail.com. Our PEA meets monthly and would love to have you join or just come to see what all the excitement is about! Involved parents make a huge difference in a child's success! They also raise funds to support our programs and volunteer as well! We appreciate their strong support.
We will continue providing timely communications to our community by using a variety of means including our school website, the new ATHOC Alert Notification System, DSIS, ASPEN, email, phone calls, conferences and monthly parent newsletters. We also hold monthly PEA meetings and attend School Board meetings to also share information. We will also implement monthly parent coffees with me to share information and also to listen to your concerns, feedback and suggestions/ideas. You are always welcome to attend. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled on our calendar, however parents may also contact their child's teacher if they have a concern. This year we will also have a Facebook page so that we can also share information in this environment. If there is an area or topic that you would like to have more information on, please call the front office at 571-660-9555 or e-mail me.
We are honored to serve our military-connected students, and we want this year and every year to be the best and most productive ever for your child. We focus on your child so that you can focus on your mission. We thank each of you for your dedicated service to our country.
Mr. Miles J. Shea, Principal
Mr. Ben Kolodziej, Assistant Principal
