North Valley Middle School - La Salle, CO

North Valley Middle School in LaSalle, Colorado has a strong, inclusion-centered approach to learning. A newcomer to this building will notice a calm, positive emotional climate and smiles from teens and adults who respect one another. There is a unique feeling of family in this building, as if people are happy to be here.

Many initiatives at NVMS encourage success. Teachers greet students daily at the classroom door. The PACTS motto of "Perseverance, Accountability, Courage, Truth, and Service," as well as social contracts students and teachers create together, set the bar high for expected behavior from everyone. For struggling learners, co-taught classes, Special Olympics partners, reading and math intervention, after-school tutoring, and Special Olympics Inclusion Week foster a can-do attitude. Incentives such as PACTS bucks, reading rewards, and special meals congratulate students for a job well done.

Perhaps most notable are the students' kindness, cooperation, and acceptance of their peers. Annual service projects plus the Viking Challenge create a spirit of community. Adults and students pitch in to help whenever needed, and the building remains a clean, attractive learning space. Because of the positive spirit, there is very little staff turnover, so students experience consistency from grade to grade.

One parent recently stated, "We are over the moon that our girl is back in a district that focuses on the student as a whole person, not just their academic and athletic achievements." Many buildings claim to function well as a team, but NVMS truly applies the concept.