Click here for June Calendar

Click here for weather forecast

Click here for tour of Markham Place School

Click here for Homework Workshop Links

The Markham Place School currently services the educational needs of students in grades five through eight. Through the efforts of the staff, and with the support of the community, students are provided with a strong educational background which prepares them for future experiences.

Students are continuously challenged by the curriculum offered at Markham Place School. We have a Five Year Curriculum Plan which provides for a spiraling approach to content instruction and skill development. All curriculum has been aligned with the New Jersey Core Content Standards. The faculty is kept current in their fields of instruction through various staff development opportunities.

Recognizing multiple intelligences and the varied learning styles of students, especially at the middle school level, the teachers utilize various instructional strategies to address the needs of our students. The school program supports students with special needs and provides guidance services for the entire school. In addition, we recognize the need for our students to be independent problem solvers and decision makers and afford them the opportunity to work both independently and cooperatively on projects and activities utilizing manipulatives and technology.

Results from the combination of these elements are demonstrated by the success of our students in secondary schools and, later, colleges. Students from Markham Place School consistently score in the highest level on the New Jersey Grade Eight Performance Assessment (GEPA) which is administered to eighth grade students, placing Markham Place among the top schools in the state.

In addition, Markham Place School offers many enrichment experiences through clubs, sports, after school activities and exploratory courses during the flex period. Intramural teams provide students with experience in competition, cooperation and sportsmanship. Students are also encouraged to participate in activities such as the school newspaper, literary magazine, chorus, computer club, annual theatrical production, band and orchestra.

The unique size of Markham Place provides us with an opportunity to "know" our students and to address their individual needs. Teachers work closely with their students, monitoring growth and providing guidance and support in a warm, nurturing environment. Expectations for student achievement are high, and every effort is made to help our students find success both as learners and good citizens. Through the inclusion of "service learning" students are exposed to various responsibilities of citizenship and taught the continued need for cooperation as a life skill.

Community support for the school has resulted in an upgrade of facilities which reaffirms a commitment to education. Recent additions and building renovations provide our students with state of the art facilities in science, technology and media research. Special funding from the Little Silver Board of Education and the Education Foundation of Little Silver are helping to install quality computer equipment throughout the building. Computers are located in a training lab and in each classroom with Internet access for use by our students. A web site is now available with information about Markham Place School and the Little Silver School District at www.monmouth.com/~lsboe/.  The school is connected with the Weather Net Service and maintains a weather station affiliated with the local NBC television station (4).  Access to other areas of the United States is available through the Weather Net Service.

The efforts of the Little Silver Parent Teacher Organization have enabled the school to present assembly programs and purchase materials which directly support the curriculum and enrich the experiences of our students.  The school has sought community input through participation in policy and curriculum committees and parent support groups. Parents provide multiple resources to the school in the form of chaperones, speakers and library aides.

Markham Place School will address issues involving character education in a two year building level objective. Each grade level will target specific objectives for the purpose of assessment. A second goal will focus on improving graphing skills for a variety of purposes in content areas in grades 5-8.

Recently, the Little Silver Community passed a referendum, which will finance major renovations to the Markham Place School.  Renovations and new construction will provide an updated facility which will support the curriculum, needs of the students, and various town programs.  The construction project is planned for the spring of 2003.  New and renovated facilities will include a two stage gym, music room, sixth grade science room, new cafetorium, offices for the Child Study Team, classrooms, staff work area, resource rooms and a Life Skills room.  This important commitment will insure quality educational facilities far into the future.

This narrative highlights just some of the many programs that Markham Place School proudly offers. With continued support of the community, and the efforts of the staff, the future is bright as we look forward to tomorrow and the challenges facing our community and students.