The Middle School Journey - The School Board of Escambia County

Welcome to the middle school journey — we’re in this together If your child is getting ready to start middle school, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and “how is my baby growing up so fast?” That’s completely normal. The middle school years are full of change — new routines, new teachers, new friends — and yes, a few growing pains along the way. But they’re also some of the most rewarding years of growth and discovery. At Escambia County Public Schools, we’re here to make sure your child — and you — feel supported, encouraged, and ready for the academic rigor and adventure ahead. What makes middle school so different Middle school is more than just another grade level. It’s a time when kids begin to: Build independence and take on more responsibility Discover what they’re passionate about Learn how to navigate friendships and social changes Develop the confidence to tackle new challenges The challenges are real — but so are the supports We know the middle school transition can feel like a big leap. That’s why our teachers, counselors, and staff work closely together with you to guide your child through every change. Organization & routines: We teach simple systems to help students manage their workload and time. Social & emotional growth: Our advisory programs and counselors help kids build confidence, empathy, and healthy friendships. Academic support: We bridge the gap between elementary learning and high school preparation — one step at a time. Parent connection: You’re not in the dark here. We keep communication open and consistent, so you always know how your child is doing. For parents: your role matters most You’re the most important voice in your child’s life. The trick is learning how to shift your role as your child grows: Ask, don’t assume: Invite your child to share their thoughts and feelings about school life. Encourage independence: Let them try, fail, and try again — you’re their safety net, not their shadow. Stay curious: Attend school events, meet teachers, and learn alongside them. Celebrate growth: Every step forward — even the messy ones — builds their confidence. Let's make these years count Middle school isn’t just something to get through — it’s a time to grow through. With the right guidance, these years can shape strong, curious, kind young people who are ready for whatever comes next. It’s the time to begin shaping future leaders, entrepreneurs and skilled professionals. Besides developing critical thinking and emotional intelligence, these years can be used to explore different career opportunities, build the foundation to a life-long career or pathway to college. Escambia County Public Schools is your first choice for a journey that inspires confidence, curiosity, and joy in learning. Resources for you and your child Parental Tools: FOCUS Parental Tools: Canvas Scholarships: Bright Futures Scholarships: Take Stock in Children Career Development: Workforce Education Support: Counseling Support: Mental Health Code of Student Conduct Controlled Open Enrollment: School Choice School Grades Is combining elementary & middle school a good idea? What does this look like logistically? Dr. Michael Roberts, Director of Middle Schools for Escambia County Public Schools, talks about moving to K-6 at Cordova Park and West Pensacola and how K-8 at Longleaf will impact students, parents and teachers. You’ll hear what inspired these changes & the parent feedback so far. Listen now Tara Palasciano is the principal of Bailey Middle School and Amy Hicks is the principal of Hellen Caro Elementary School. In this episode, they talk about working together to turn the age-old apprehension with moving to middle school into an opportunity, sharing what this new collaboration looks like and how it could benefit the entire community. Listen now Dr. Heather Schultz, the assistant principal at Workman Middle School and Master Chief John Spaulding, the Naval Science instructor at Booker T Washington High School, share how students are taking advantage of the only middle school NJROTC program in Escambia County—one with a unique partnership between the schools. Learn how this program not only builds up students academically and socially, but also provides college scholarships. Listen now This trio of guests are leveraging a school elective that turns creative problem solving into a competition. Melissa Hughes, Cheri Stoker and Sophia Worley are part of the Ferry Pass Middle School's Odyssey of the Mind Program where seven of their eight teams advanced to the state level. Odyssey of the Mind is an international program designed to help students grow as confident learners and team members. Listen as they share five benefits this program brings to the classroom and beyond. Learn more about the local and national chapters today. Listen now Talk to any parent of a middle schooler and you’ll hear about the struggle of early adolescence – them becoming their own person, their friend choices, and their need for deodorant. But don’t forget their academic motivation. How do you keep your kid engaged? Michelle Givens, Tate High graduate and teacher on special assignment at Flight Adventure Deck, a unique program where middle school students learn STEM concepts first hand in a very unique atmosphere. Learn how the program works, what makes it work and how it’s leaving a lasting impression on students. Listen now Listen now Who will be the leaders of tomorrow? Debra Phillips is teaching the seven habits of highly effective people to put our students on the right path. Learn more about the Leader in Me Program today. Guest: Debra Phillips Click here for more videos and podcast episodes Raising the bar Florida continues to lead the nation in education — ranked #1 in the country — and we’re proud to be part of that success story. The Florida Department of Education continues to set high expectations, and our middle schools are rising to meet them. For the 2024–2025 school year, five of our middle schools earned A or B grades, while the remaining three earned solid C grades — with Workman Middle missing a B by just two points. We’re especially proud of Ernest Ward Middle School, which saw the greatest improvement in the district, earning 130 more points than last year — a 30.2% increase! That kind of progress reflects the dedication of our teachers, the effort of our students, and the strong support of our families. Our district also achieved the highest middle school acceleration rate in the entire state of Florida. This rate measures how well students perform in high school–level courses — such as Algebra and Biology — and in earning high school–level industry certifications while still in middle school. These results show what’s possible when students are challenged, teachers are supported, and families and schools work together. The bar is higher than ever — and our students are clearing it with confidence. #1 in Florida for Academic Acceleration 2024-2025 school year Our middle schools — there’s much to love In Escambia County, parents know Brown-Barge has a tradition of excellence, but what do you really know about Beulah, Workman and all of our middle schools? Would you be surprised to learn that 4 of 5 parents with children at our middle schools would recommend these schools to you and other parents? BELLVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024/2025 School Grade: C BEULAH MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024/2025 School Grade: B BROWN-BARGE MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024/2025 School Grade: A ERNEST WARD MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024/2025 School Grade: B FERRY PASS MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024/2025 School Grade: C JIM C. BAILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024/2025 School Grade: B RANSOM MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024/2025 School Grade: A WORKMAN MIDDLE SCHOOL 2024/2025 School Grade: C