A Message from our Principal, Mr. Gary Smallridge

            Looking back on the accomplishments over the past three years, Ft. King Middle School staff and students should feel very proud.  In 2016-2017, our school grade went up from a D to a C, and we almost pulled off a B.  Even though we missed a grade of B by 2% in 2017, the growth measured that year was the highest in the district for middle schools.  Our Total Points Earned on our school grade increased by 17% over a two year period, which turned out to be 151 points on a 900-point scale.  In 2017-2018, FKMS increased the Total Points Earned again by an additional 5%, which allowed FKMS to earn a school grade of B! 

            Last year, in 2018-2019, FKMS once again earned a school grade of B!  We are very proud of our teachers and students.  History of schools that increase their school grades from a D to a B or higher, usually fall the following year.  Maintaining a B for the second year was a huge accomplishment for our school. 

            Our academic plan will stay the same in 2019-2020, and we will continue with a six-period schedule, which added eight minutes to each class period.  We feel the additional eight minutes contributed greatly to our success academically over the past two years.  We will continue to offer AVID this school year, but it has now expanded to 6th, 7th & 8th grade students.  AVID is an elective that helps students get organized, teaches them to track their grades, how to take good notes, how to study and how to plan for a college or career path.  We are very excited to offer AVID to our students and to provide our teachers with training on AVID teaching strategies.  We will share more information to our students and parents as the program grows this school year.

            Students are required to pass each of four core classes in grades 6-8 before going to high school.  ELA, Math, Social Studies and Science have to be made up by students if the class is failed.  If your child has an F for the final grade for a semester, we will start looking at ways to make up the class.  One way to make up a failed course is to drop an elective class and pick up a unit recovery course in a computer lab.  Summer school is an option, but most students don’t want to spend their summer in a lab at one of our area high schools.  Please keep a close eye on your child’s grades by signing up for Family Access or by having your child show you their grades through their Student Desktop.

            I look forward to meeting each of you as the year progresses.  I maintain an open door policy, which means you don’t need an appointment to see me, if I am available.  Please don’t hesitate to call me if you need help with any situation.  If I am not the person to help you, I will steer you in the right direction.  Together, as a team, we will make this year a great experience for your children