"A School for All"
Our Mission:
King has had a long association with Outward Bound and Expeditionary Learning. Our mission is based on the idea that on an Outward Bound adventure it is never enough to get yourself to the top of the mountain, but the goal is to ensure that everyone gets to the top of the mountain. King is a “school for all” where everyone is expected to succeed at a high level and everyone is included 100% of the time. King Middle School is a high achieving, highly diverse Expeditionary Learning public school at the forefront of national school reform. A pioneer of Expeditionary Learning, King credits its scholastic success to its rigorous, all-inclusive learning environment and to its high expectations of every student. King’s evolution from a low-performing school when it partnered with Expeditionary Learning in 1992, to a top performer has drawn national attention. We are one of the most visited and researched middle schools in the United States. Every year we host hundreds of visitors from around the country and abroad. |
EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS: PBS NewsHour Featuring King:
Maine School Engages Kids with Problem-Solving Challenges
Maine School Engages Kids with Problem-Solving Challenges
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Our Demographics:
By several measures, King’s population is the most radically diverse, not just in the state of Maine, but in the entire Northeast:
There are also 100 families each year from the city that deliberately choose King for its Expeditionary Learning approach and academic rigor. |
"We don't just learn about things; we do things."
~ Gus Goodwin KMS Teacher |
Our Approach to Learning:
The city is our classroom At King, learning is active and therefore meaningful. Students engage in in-depth, interdisciplinary learning expeditions. Our students are scientists, urban planners, historians, and activists. They investigate real problems and collaborate with peers and professionals in our community to develop creative, actionable solutions. Our geographic location makes us unique and allows us to expand our campus far beyond school grounds. We have easy access to a wealth of resources and opportunities which allows us to partner with our community and environment consistently and in authentic ways. Most parts of the city are within walking distance of our students. This year alone we have partnered with nearly 100 individuals and organizations within our community. Our work and relationship with our community does not go without recognition. Over the years, businesses and organizations have funded our work which includes the annual trip to the Kieve Leadership School, our Knightlife evening music program, extended learning program opportunities, expedition related work, and professional development. During the 2014-2015 year we have received over $20,000 in funds from business partners and community organizations, to honor the work of the school. |
Letters of Support:
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A School of Continuous Improvement:
"There are only two types of schools - improving or declining - there is no status quo."
~ Michael McCarthy
Former Principal
"There are only two types of schools - improving or declining - there is no status quo."
~ Michael McCarthy
Former Principal
We have always worked to be an improving school and continue to look for ways to make our best practices universal teacher practices. Once we achieve universal progress we then look to the next frontier. At King we are constantly looking at ourselves and asking how we can improve for our students.
Teachers continue to study and learn new ways to improve their practice. Since 2011, nearly 100% of our staff has either visited high performing Expeditionary Learning schools across the country, attended the EL National Conference or attended one of several EL Institutes. This year, as we continue to strengthen student-engaged assessment practices and implement standards-based grading with integrity, we are committed to sending teachers to other EL schools, Site Seminars and Institutes.
Teachers continue to study and learn new ways to improve their practice. Since 2011, nearly 100% of our staff has either visited high performing Expeditionary Learning schools across the country, attended the EL National Conference or attended one of several EL Institutes. This year, as we continue to strengthen student-engaged assessment practices and implement standards-based grading with integrity, we are committed to sending teachers to other EL schools, Site Seminars and Institutes.
King teachers come together for four days every summer to plan expeditions for the year.