Vanguard Collegiate Middle School #374

Esther Wallace, Principal
5000 Truesdale Ave @ Thurgood Marshall
Baltimore, MD 21206
Phone: 443-642-2069

Accent on Achievement

Vanguard Collegiate Middle School: A College Board School is designed to promote academic excellence leading directly to college entrance and success. The school draws on a highly trained cadre of teachers and staff and the curriculum, guidance, and assessment resources of the Baltimore City School District and the College Board. Employing a powerful combination of dedicated, high-caliber leadership, a rigorous, accelerated college-prep curriculum, an emphasis on positive youth development, and a personalized education program, College Board Schools foster the high achievement and healthy growth and development of every student.

Our schools are uniquely structured to educate, support and guide students from middle school through high school graduation, building the bridges from the earlier grades that ultimately lead to college success. Students are prepared to meet the high standards required for college admission, as well as meeting or exceeding Baltimore City and Maryland learning standards and proficiency requirements.

The Circle of Family and Community

A safe, respectful and welcoming school environment is a hallmark of College Board Schools and the result of successful collaboration between faculty, staff and students. Family and community also play a vitally important role in the education of our students. The active participation of parents and guardians is a critical component of our students' academic success and emotional well-being.

Special School Features

Vanguard Collegiate Middle School is:

A public school, grades 6-8, opening with grade 6 in September 2010
Designed for low-income and minority students, emphasizing the College Board's commitment to equity and access
A small, personalized environment with 125 students per grade and a total of 375 students at full capacity
Unscreened and nonselective
Organized for student success by fostering high levels of productivity, fulfillment, and interest in learning
A center of learning where College Board programs and services drive academic rigor
Engaging in advisory, designed to address the academic, social, and emotional growth and development of our students
Led and staffed by outstanding professionals with a deep knowledge of their subject matter, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to create and participate in a community of continuous learners
An environment with fully-integrated, cutting-edge technology

Mission

Prepare every student for access to and success in college.

Core Values and Guiding Behaviors

Vanguard Collegiate Middle School promotes:

Excellence and Integrity
Students are challenged to:

Improve their skills and knowledge
Make decisions and take action based on goals, priorities, facts and analysis
Take personal accountability for meeting commitments
Guide themselves by the values of honesty and ethics

Passion
Students discover their passions through:

Meeting and completing big challenges
Embracing change and adapting to innovation
Exhibiting positive energy and a can-do attitude

Community
A College Board School student:

Promotes and respects diversity
Engages in and encourages open and healthy dialogue

Scholarship
Students receive a rigorous liberal arts education and acquire:

Critical thinking strategies
Academic scholarship and behaviors
Contextual learning skills

Student Expectations

Vanguard Collegiate Middle School students are expected to:

Wear the Vanguard Collegiate Middle School uniform

Staff Characteristics

College Board Schools require staff possess a broad range of characteristics and skills including personal, interpersonal and intellectual characteristics, as well as academic and administrative skills. Staff must come to College Board Schools with highly proficient technology skills, be prepared to multi-task, and bring experience that will ensure success.

Personal Characteristics
College Board School staff must be driven, passionate, ethical individuals who are intrinsically motivated and are able to motivate others. Staff must be willing to put forth the effort needed to support and advocate for the school, their colleagues, the students and their families. Staff must demonstrate initiative while being responsive to the school community. Staff must create a caring environment committed to the success of each individual.

Interpersonal Characteristics
College Board School staff must commit to developing a college-going school culture that incorporates the school community and is built on positive relationships, teamwork and genuine collaboration. Staff must work together to maintain open communications and a trusting climate where feedback is sought and accepted.

Intellectual/Leadership Characteristics
College Board School staff must share a vision for student success. Staff must be curious, open-minded and embrace change and innovation. Staff must be thoughtful learners who use a variety of data to drive decision-making.

Academic/Instructional Skills
College Board School staff must create a learning environment that exemplifies an instructional philosophy that maximizes student engagement and academic rigor. Staff must be knowledgeable in successful pedagogical strategies, and participate in on-going professional development in order to keep current with the latest research-based information about teaching and learning.

Administrative Skills
College Board School staff must share the responsibility for managing the school in accordance with the regulations and guidelines from the System and from the College Board.

Principal Expectations

Principals will be expected to:

Lead change initiatives and embrace innovation
Plan strategically
Distribute leadership
Build trust to facilitate change
Develop and empower a team
Cultivate a professional learning community focused on excellent teaching and learning practices
Focus on student outcomes
Learn and use data to drive decisions
Promote academic rigor focused on student outcomes
Develop a college-going culture
Build a safe and supportive student culture
Engage parents and community
Manage time and priorities
Effectively integrate new programs and strategies