Mountain Middle School is continuing to expand with the addition of fourth and fifth grade classes set to begin in the fall semester.
The idea to add new grades came about in an effort to better prepare students for sixth, seventh and eighth grade, said Head of School Shane Voss.
“We want to introduce students to our model earlier so that they will be more successful. We want to familiarize them with our technology and project-based learning,” Voss said.
The new students will take classes in the school’s energy-efficient building expansion, which was completed in January.
In addition to adding new grades, Voss said the school hired four teachers and an assistant head of school.
Lindsay Neiman will assume the role of assistant head of school. Previously, she worked at Park Elementary School for 10 years.
“As we grow, there is just more to manage,” Voss said. “Lindsay is helping us to really get those younger classes off the ground to be successful. She is highly admired and respected in the community, and we are super excited to have her join our team.”
Neiman is from Denver and has experience teaching first, second and fourth grades. She also worked as an instructional coach for teachers at Park Elementary School.
She said her time as an instructional coach is what made her want to pursue administrative work.
“It is hard to leave my Park family, but the opportunity to become a part of something new and innovative is what attracted me to Mountain Middle School,” Neiman said.
She is a firm believer in project-based learning, and has practiced it in her own classrooms.
“I’ve always believed in project-based learning,” Neiman said. “It motivates students to want to learn and keeps them excited. I feel like teachers want to keep their creative juices flowing as well.”
Mountain Middle School will see a growth of 60 new students with the addition of the fourth and fifth grade classes, Voss said. Adding new teachers will keep the classroom at a 1:15 ratio (one teacher to 15 students).
He said the school’s name will not change, despite adding elementary grades.
“This is not your status quo definition of a middle school, but other schools like ours exist in Colorado,” Voss said.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
