Welcome to Portage North Middle School

Salmon in the Classroom is Here!
Our News page has more information on this project.

Welcome to the Jr. Huskies Portage North Middle School Website! It is our pleasure to provide you with this introduction. North Middle School (NMS) is located in the Northeast section of the city of Portage. We pride ourselves in being a professional educational community that embraces learning and celebrates achievements. Our building was constructed in 1960. Since then, the building has undergone additions, renovations, and other structural updates. NMS currently has 39 classrooms, which also includes 3 fully equipped computer labs and four wireless mobile labs, 2 resource rooms, 3 science labs, 1 technology/woodworking classroom and machine area, 1 fully equipped power training room, and 1 room equipped with stoves and refrigerators for Family and Consumer Sciences. In addition, to a Media Center, Little Theatre, and Cafeteria, NMS also has a full-size pool and gymnasium with girls/boys locker rooms.

North Middle School serves a student population of slightly less than 600 and has a grade configuration of six, seven, and eight. We offer a variety of academic programs and social activities. Some include the STAR (Success Together As Readers) mentoring program, Homework Bus for after-school transportation, and Student Leadership. North Middle School also serves the District’s cognitively impaired and physically and otherwise health impaired middle school students; as well as the middle school autism classroom.

An administrative team (principal and assistant principal) and close to forty dedicated and highly qualified general and special education teachers serve the academic and developmental needs of our student learners. Specialized staff include Media Specialist, Guidance Counselors, School Psychologist, Behavioral Specialist, Social Worker, Speech/Language Specialist, Food Service personnel, Custodial crew, Administrative Assistant/Secretaries, and para-professionals.

North Middle School students study the following core classes: Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science, in addition to three World Languages (French, German, and Spanish). Encore classes include Power Training for grades seven and eight, Drama, Service Learning, Study Skills, Advanced Physical Education, Three Dimensional Art, Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS), Water Sports, Computer Education, Journalism, and Technology Education. The Music Department regularly performs at competitions, festivals, and seasonal concerts for choir, band, and orchestra.

Extra-curricular opportunities include the Ski Club, Select Choir, and Yearbook. Students in grades seven and eight may participate in basketball, football, volleyball, wrestling, cross country, and track. Students in all grade levels may participate in golf, swimming, diving , cross country/track, and intramural sports. In addition, NMS has the only Forensics Team in the district and in southwest Michigan. Our speech and drama-based after-school experience also helps to support and develop seasoned performers who move on to the high school level. In April 2007, over twenty NMS forensic students competed in the Forensic Tournament held at Wayne State University.

In addition, the school is currently in phase one of the Middle Years Program (MYP) International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) application process. To date, we have trained staff members represented in all curriculum areas, as well as the Head of Schools and IB Coordinator. On May 21, 2007, Mrs. Kathy Weed, MYP representative from Rochester, NY, visited North Middle School as a part of the IBO application process. Commendations and recommendations to proceed in the application process were received in July 2007.

We invite you to continue perusing the website of the Jr. Huskies. Of course, if you have specific questions or request additional information, please contact our office at (269) 323-5755 or email me personally with your with celebrations to share.

Dr. A. Celeste Shelton-Harris, Principal

charris@portageps.org

New - The Paw Print - North newspaper Click here

New - Reading Counts Book List Click here

School starts back up on Tuesday, Sept. 4, for a half-day. The rest of the new school year calendar is not yet set, but will be posted online at www.portageps.org and published in the Portage Gazette as soon as it is finalized.

Autism Program
Portage North Middle School Classroom for Students with Autism

Kalamazoo RESA’s Croyden Avenue School is pleased to partner with Portage North Middle School this year by opening a new classroom for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the building. Students in the classroom will participate with other students in a variety of classes and will also spend time in community places. The focus for learning is first the general curriculum, but our teacher will tailor learning to emphasize important life skills, such as building social skills, job responsibility, consumer skills and effective communication. While the classroom will begin with 3 students, a teacher and a paraprofessional, we can accommodate up to 7 students (adding a second paraprofessional). We look forward to making new friends and having a great year of learning!