Quimby Oak Middle School
Principal's Message
Quimby Oak Middle School, in the Evergreen School District, was established in 1968 and is located at the base of the Evergreen foothills in southeast San Jose. Quimby Oak attained the status of a California Distinguished School in 1992, 1996, and 2001.
Over the past eight years Quimby Oak Middle School has experienced a complete remoderization of our entire facility. Beginning in 2000, a state of the art gymnasium came on line with all classrooms remodeled the following year. Most recently Quimby Oak has added a new library, six new math classrooms, three new science classrooms, six remodeled student restrooms, three computer labs, expansion of the physical education blacktop, beautiful landscaping and new walkways and retaining walls to further assure student safety.
We believe these many wonderful enhancements to our campus combined with a rigerous curriculum expectation carefully matched to California Instructional Standards provides each student with the tools to achieve a solid educational foundation for the 21st century.
We encourage and expect our students to strive to do their best. We know that within a well-defined, consistent, structured environment, each child has the capability to achieve academic success and, thus, develop self-esteem.
We encourage and intend that students will take advantage of the opportunities for reading and writing, will realize the necessity for problem solving, will interact with other students and staff members in a positive, mature manner, and will develop the skills needed to adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing world.
Phil BondPrincipal
Vision Statement
Based on Quimby Oak Middle School vision statement, student performance reflects learners who are:
Literate in reading, writing, computing and communicating
Problem solvers and decision makers
Utilizing technology
Reflective and self evaluative
Growing in confidence as life-long learners
This vision transforms into four school wide goals for all students:
Through a balanced, integrated curriculum and cooperative partnership with parents and community, Quimby Oak Middle School prepares its diverse student body for the changes and challenges of the 21st Century, continually emphasizing that students within and beyond the classroom embodies the democratic ideals of personal responsibility, proactive participation, group problem solving, and ethical decision making.
This vision establishes the framework for all decisions about curriculum, instruction, assessment, and resources.
Mission Statement
Quimby Oak Middle School is the meeting ground for a resultant economic, social, and racial mix. An ethnic breakdown of the school enrollment shows that there are 4.3% African American, 0.6% American/Alaskan Indian, 42.3% Asian (Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, Cambodian), 6.7% Caucasian, 10.4% Filipino, 34.4% Hispanic, and 1.0% Pacific Islander.
There are thirty-five certificated staff members in addition to a full time English Language Development teacher, full time ELL Reading teacher, three part time specialists (nurse, speech therapist, and psychologist), MFT intern, Academic Counselor, Project Specialist, four Assistant Principals, and a Principal. The seventh and eighth grade enrollment is 1,040 students. Each student is enrolled in Science, Passport, Language Arts, Pre-Algebra or Algebra, U.S. History or Social Studies, Physical Education, Peer Advisory and an elective. The elective classes include Art, Drama, Journalism & Yearbook, Leadership and Technology. The school day consists of six, fifty-minute instructional periods.
Parents of various student groups tend to perceive the role of school in different ways. Student aspirations can also be dramatically different. The curriculum is designed to meet the diverse needs created by these attitudes and expectations. In the seventh and eighth grades, the curriculum provides opportunities in Algebra, Geometry 1, Honors Language Arts, and Honors Science for students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement. Identified students are placed in a Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) class. Students identified as English Language Learners are appropriately placed in English Language Development (ELD) classes because of their need for special language assistance.
During the 1986-87 school year, the Quimby Oak School Site Council (SSC) voted to participate in the School-Based Coordinated Program using SIP funds. The SSC is elected to plan, implement, and evaluate the School Improvement Program (SIP). It is made up of four students, four parents, and seven school personnel (including certificated and classified staff) who meet regularly to carry out their responsibilities. Areas of focus are addressed on a rotating basis every two years. The implementation of the Quimby Oak 2000-2001 School-Based Coordinated Program (SBCP) Plan began a two-year focus in Science and Math. In the Spring of 1993, the SSC approved to include the Special Education Program services to the School-Based Coordinated Program. The decision was made to increase coordination of regular education and Special Education services; to expand services to students even if they are not formally identified as eligible; and to allow for future flexibility in developing collaborative programs for students with special needs. A School Safety Plan component was included in the 1998-99 SBCP Plan for the first time. This plan was developed by a committee appointed by the School Site Council that included the principal, a certificated member of CSEA, a School Site Council parent representative, a School Site Council student representative, and the special projects assistant. The proposed plan was presented at a formal hearing on April 22, 1998 and a law enforcement representative provided feedback regarding the plan on May 1, 1998.
We encourage and expect our students to strive to do their best. We know that within a well-defined, consistent, structured environment, each child has the capability to achieve academic success and thus develop self-esteem. Working together, the school and parents encourage the students to develop self-reliance and confidence in their ability to achieve. In order to facilitate student academic success, parents, teachers, and students recognize the necessity for rules, standards, and procedures to provide an effective learning environment. Teachers acknowledge their responsibility to provide appropriately planned and implemented lessons, using a variety of materials, which allow for individual needs. A comprehensive, yet integrated curriculum is evident at Quimby Oak. This curriculum is to be delivered in such a way that every student will perform up to high, clearly defined standards. We encourage parental involvement and support as an essential part of the social and academic growth of each child. Becoming educated is ultimately the responsibility of the student. It is our hope and intent that the students will take advantage of the opportunities for reading and writing, realize the necessity for problem solving, interact with other students and staff members in a positive, mature manner, and develop the skills needed to adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing world.
