Middle School Overview:
All four of the middle schools are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Stephen Decatur and Snow Hill Middle Schools are Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, while Stephen Decatur Middle is also a National Blue Ribbon School. Three of the four middle schools are Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS) schools, with Berlin Intermediate and Snow Hill Middle School earning Gold honors and Pocomoke Middle earning Silver honors. Berlin Intermediate and Snow Hill and Stephen Decatur Middle Schools are Professional Development Schools, working with institutions of higher education to prepare future teachers. Berlin Intermediate and Pocomoke and Snow Hill Middle Schools are Arts Immersion Schools, making natural connections in instruction between curriculum content and the arts. Berlin Intermediate has been recognized nationally for its arts education program. Stephen Decatur, Snow Hill, and Pocomoke Middle Schools earned Superior Ratings for school maintenance and cleanliness in 2010.
There are 4 schools in Worcester County with middle school grades and programs:
All of these schools are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Education for students in grades 6-8 takes into consideration and nurtures intellectual, social, emotional and physical growth. Students in the middle grades are provided comprehensive and challenging programs which expand the skills, concepts and processes developed in the elementary grades. Curriculum, instruction, activities, services, and assessments are designed to promote the development of high academic skills and talents as well as foster personal, physical and social growth. Middle grade programs provide challenging opportunities for students in the following subjects: 
Middle level teachers continuously assess the performance of students and implement those instructional strategies and curricula which will meet the student's present and future needs.
To further enrich the instructional programs, the following activities are provided:
Special instructional programs and services are provided to accommodate the unique needs of each student. Special education services are provided for students with disabilities. Challenging academic programs are provided for gifted and high achieving students. In addition, guidance, counseling, speech therapy, and psychological services are an integral part of the instructional program.
An Alternative Program is available to students who experience behavior or academic problems in the regular classroom. The program helps students resolve their academic and behavior problems.
Band Program
A band program is offered for all interested students. Parents may purchase or rent instruments. Band instruction is given during the regularly scheduled school day. Students who miss scheduled classes for band instruction are required to complete all missed assignments. Practice time is a home assignment.
School Activities
Students are encouraged to participate in the various clubs and organizations in school. These groups will afford the student the opportunity to become involved in school related activities. These activities build school spirit and pride. When a student is absent from a class because he/she is involved in an extracurricular activity, it will be the student's responsibility to make up any missed work.
Student Government
The Student Government Association works with the administration to plan social events and provide input about student concerns. Officers and representatives for each homeroom are elected yearly.
Middle School Academies
Expanded educational opportunities for students in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 to participate in academic intervention and enrichment activities are provided in the Middle School Academies. The Academies provide expanded learning programs beyond the regular school day and during the summer months.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Academies, a new 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative, will be coordinated with existing local and grant efforts for after school programming to middle school students in grades 6, 7, and 8. The STEM initiative will enable students to explore and gain experience in STEM areas of study in order that they may pursue secondary education, post-secondary education, and careers that support the ever-growing need for engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and technology experts.
Testing
The Maryland School Assessment (MSA) Program is a state testing program that measures how well schools are teaching students the knowledge and skills they need. Students are assessed in reading and mathematics. At the middle school level, the MSA test is administered to students in grades 6 through 8. Students in grade 8 will also take a state science assessment. Parents will receive a copy of their child's performance report.
The CTBS/Terra Nova is a standardized nationally normed test that is designed to measure the performance of students. Parents will receive a copy of their child's performance.
Students enrolled in Algebra I in grade 8 take the High School Assessment in Algebra in May. This is an end-of-course assessment that students are required to pass in order to graduate from high school.
In order to support efforts to meet state standards, instruction in the middle grades is enhanced by:
