JOSHUA MIDDLE SCHOOL – RECONFIGURATION

At the October 14th School Board meeting, in Mojave, the Board opened a public discussion regarding the future of Joshua Middle School. With the construction of California City High School and the matriculation of students to that school, rather than Mojave High School, the demographics of the district have changed and will continue to change over the next couple of years. Ultimately, the number of students at Mojave High School will have changed from an average of about 660 two years ago (2006) to an estimate of 264 two years from now (2010). Click here

Because it is not economically feasible  to operate a school of this size combined with the educational advantages that come with a larger student body at a school site, the district has looked across town to Joshua Middle School and its students with the idea of combining the two sites on one campus. The facilities made available at Mojave High School will provide an opportunity to Joshua’s student body that has not been available for many, many years.

Obviously, Backus Gym is right there on campus and would be available to the students for PE, inclimate weather days, and its sports programs. What may not be as obvious are the recently modernized facilities including classrooms, restrooms, science labs, home economics room, and the cafeteria and administration buildings. In addition, the site contains an auto / welding shop, a wood shop, and access to advanced level course work for students whose academic goals go beyond high school.

As the district looks forward to next year – with the challenges it must adjust to and plan for – these facilities have very relevant aspects. The Board has directed the Superintendent to develop career path curriculum so each student has selected, and is on, a career path through their educational experience. Some will be on paths toward college or university while others will be on paths toward technical careers, community colleges, or trade schools. Students have already been surveyed to determine their interest. Parents will be surveyed before the first curriculum paths are brought back to the Board for decision later this year.

Career paths are a significant change for our district, and our entry into Program Improvement this year will bring about other significant changes that cause the district to focus on educational improvement. In this regard, the district believes it will be very positive to have all staff and all students on one campus – all working together with one single goal in mind – academic achievement which ensures that all students receive what they need to move from one grade level to the next, fully prepared for the challenge that lay ahead.

Of course, these are the positive aspects of combining campuses. However, public opinion expressed at the meeting was overwhelmingly against the idea of moving students from the middle school to the high school campus. The discussion was very professional and heartfelt – here are some of the comments:

• Middle school students should not be on the same campus as high school students because of the age variance and the negative influences older students may have on younger students.

• Middle school girls don’t look like middle school girls use to look and they are already trying to look older than they are. Putting them on the same campus with Junior and Senior boys is not a very good idea.

• Times have changed and, even though many of us went to middle school on the same campus as high school students, it’s not the same world anymore. The influences are worse and stronger now than they were back then.

• The district has not met its commitment to keep grade levels separated in the past and should not be trusted to do it in this case.

• Teachers who teach at the high school do so because they don’t want to teach middle school students. Socially, they are very different groups of kids.

• Has the district considered the possibility of future population growth in Mojave, and, if so, is future growth considered in the plan to move these students?

• Joshua students do not have their own identity as a school and moving the students to Mojave High School will only make that less likely.

• The staff at Joshua has become a pretty cohesive group and this would ruin that working relationship.

• Since the district has just entered Program Improvement – is this really a good time to make such a big change?



Again, these are all very good points which must be considered in the decision making process – and the Board would like to know your thoughts as well. So, please take a moment to provide your comments by clicking click here or the link below.

For comments and questions about the JMS Reconfiguration please send email to webmaster@mojave.k12.ca.us