Marshall Middle School (Pittsburgh)


Marshall Middle School is a large, suburban public middle school operated by North Allegheny School District. It is one of three middle schools in the North Allegheny School District. The school is on a 92.79-acre campus located in Marshall Township, Pennsylvania. In 2013, Marshall Middle School reported an enrollment of 620 pupils, with 2% of pupil coming from low income homes. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 100% of its teachers were rated "Highly Qualified" under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Marshall Middle School feeder schools are Bradford Woods Elementary and Marshall Elementary School.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2010, the school reported an enrollment of 647 pupils in grades 6th through 8th, with 12 pupils receiving a federal free or reduced-price lunch due to family poverty. The school employed 52 teachers, yielding a student teacher ratio of 12:1. According to a report by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2 teachers were rated "Non‐Highly Qualified" under No Child Left Behind.

Campus

The school has a two-story 'H' shape with two large wings for the auditorium and gymnasium on either side of the "H". The eighth grade classrooms are in the central bar of the H on the second floor, the sixth grade classrooms are on the east wing on the second floor, and the seventh grade classrooms are on the west wing on the second floor.. There is a football/multipurpose field off of the gymnasium to the east and a softball field adjacent to it. Past right field lies cross-country trails that are used for middle school cross country meets and gym classes. Farther east of the cross-country trails are two soccer fields used by local soccer leagues. The Marshall campus also includes a pond used for science purposes and projects. Marshall planned to have a pool in the design of the campus, but that plan was abandoned due to the lack of swimming classes in middle school physical education curriculum. The Marshall Middle School campus houses part of North Allegheny School District's bus fleet. The school was founded in 1993 and cost approximately 30 million USD to build. Marshall Middle School's campus also houses Marshall Elementary School.
The building underwent a massive renovation beginning in 2014 ranging from the removal of old carpeting and installation of commercial tile, to classroom expansion projects in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department and also in the music wing. Other improvements included the installation of occupancy sensors to automatically control new LED troffer fixtures in the hallways and all interior lighting fixtures outside the classrooms. and further installation of security cameras throughout the facility. General aesthetic improvements included painting and installation of new signage and a large MMS tile pattern is now a part of the floor at the main entrance. The library, gymnasium, and auditorium have all been updated as well with new HVAC, carpeting and flooring, and also technology. Many classrooms feature Active Whiteboards from Promethean that augment the district's Focus 2020 model implemented in 2015, where students in the middle and high schools will have access to personal devices in the classroom to be used for purposes of educational enrichments. Students in 6th grade will receive iPads which they will use up until they graduate in 8th grade. When the reach North Allegheny Intermediate High School students receive an HP ProBook Series laptop to provide more options for learning outside of the typical lecture and textbook style environment.

Principals

Mr. Daniel Swoger is the current principal of Marshall Middle School. He assumed the post of acting principal in August 2015 following the retirement of long standing principal Dr. Cynthia Kainaroi. Mr. Swoger was the former assistant principal of Ingomar Middle School, one of three North Allegheny middle schools. Before his tenure at the North Allegheny School District, he served a variety of roles ranging Emotional Support Teacher to Assistant Principal of Allegheny Valley School District in Springdale, Pennsylvania.
The Assistant Principal, Mr. Matthew Buchak, served as the Assistant Principal of North Allegheny Senior High School prior to assuming his current post.
Mr. John Schwoebel was the school's original principal, serving until the 2005-2006 school year, when he retired his long standing post to Dr. Kathleen Roppa. Dr. Roppa left after the 2005-2006 school year to take the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Neshannock Township School District. The new principal is Dr. Cynthia Kainaroi for the school years of 2006–2009 and. The assistant-principal, Mrs. Tracie Michalowski, served the school from 2006–2017. In the 2010-2011 school year Dr. Cynthia Kainaroi took a 12-month sabbatical and Mrs. Michalowski assume the role of acting-principal. She left Marshall Middle School in 2017 to assume her new post as principal of Ingomar Elementary School.

Academic Achievement

In 1999-2000 it was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. The award was accepted by the studeny body president, Andrew Michael Jones, who went to Washington, D.C. to accept the award.
;Western Pennsylvania ranking:
In 2012, the eighth grade was ranked 4th among 8th grades, in the Western Pennsylvania region out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on the last three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, mathematics, writing and science. The ranking.
;Seventh grade ranking:
In 2013, Marshall Middle School's seventh grade ranked 3rd among 150 seventh grades in local Western Pennsylvania schools. In 2012, Marshall Middle School's seventh grade ranked 2nd.
;Sixth grade ranking:
In 2013, Marshall Middle School's sixth grade ranked 8th among 198 sixth grades in local Western Pennsylvania schools. In 2012, Marshall Middle School's sixth grade ranked 5th.

2013 School Performance Profile

In 2013, Marshall Middle School achieved 94.7 out of 100. Reflects on-grade-level reading, writing, mathematics and science achievement. In reading, 92.5% of the students were on grade level, with 71% advanced. In Mathematics, 92% of the students showed on-grade-level mathematics skills, with 70% achieved advanced. In Science, 90% of the 8th graders demonstrated on-grade-level understanding, with 52% being advanced. In writing, 91.9% of the 8th grade students were on grade level. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 2,181 public schools, achieved an academic score of 70 or higher.

Adequate Yearly Progress History

In 2012, Marshall Middle School declined to Warning AYP status due to lagging achievement of its special education students in reading and mathematics. In 2010 and 2011, Marshall Middle School achieved AYP status.
PSSA Results History:
Tests are given in the spring of each year to 6th grade ; 7th grade ; and 8th grade.
;8th Grade Reading:
  • 2012 - 100% on grade level, 92% advanced. State - 79%
  • 2011 - 98% on grade level. State - 81.8%
  • 2010 – 96% . State - 81%
  • 2009 – 98%, 86% advanced, State – 80%
;8th Grade Math:
;'''8th Grade Science:
;7th Grade Reading:
;7th Grade Math:
;6th Grade Reading:
;6th Grade Math:
;Yearly Field Trips
Every year, grades have at least one field trip. Sixth graders normally visit Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA for a Pittsburgh Orchestra concert. Seventh graders take a trip to see "A Christmas Carol" every year during the holiday season since it ties in with the English curriculum. Eighth graders watch a Pittsburgh Pirates game every year. Also, for all grades there is Mini Course Day where students sign up to participate in fun activities.
;Talent Show
During the spring, Marshall Middle conducts a talent show open to all students. Participants put on their acts for peers, teachers, and parents. Ms. Amy Baschnagel, eighth grade science teacher, and Mr. James Furlong, chorus instructor, coordinate the event. Christina Aguilera performed in the talent show as an 8th grade student.
;Concerts
Every winter and spring, each of the musical classes offered at the middle school hold a concert. They are headed by Mr. Wesley Taylor, Mr. James Furlong, and Mrs. Dana Leasure. One concert is performed during school hours for students and staff, and one is performed in the evening after school for parents and guests.
;Civil War Day
Because it ties into their social studies curriculum, eighth graders participate in a day in which it is popular to dress up in fashions from the 1860s and as civil war veterans. Often, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator gives a speech, and the students have an outdoor parade around the front of the school. They then return to their classrooms for refreshments.

GOAL in MMS

GOAL is an acronym for Gifted Opportunities for Advanced Learners. This is a program in North Allegheny School District where advanced students who have done well on ITBS tests and/or CogAT tests or have an IQ of over 130, have a chance to take a specialized test to get into the program which enhances their learning experience. In Marshall Middle, the GOAL program is very prominent. GOAL has their own office in the eighth grade hall where GOAL students meet at times. The office is ruled by a student government consisting of a President, Vice President of the Upper Class-men, Vice President of the Under Class-men, treasurer, paperwork secretary, and errands secretary. The Marshall department is headed by Dan Williams, succeeding Pamela Ross in her retirement. Goal also goes on many different education based field trips, called IO's. Some of the IO's include the viewing of an open heart surgery, a weekend trip to the Chesapeake Bay, many different competitions, and more. There are many different IO's for each subject of learning, so all students find something that interests them. GOAL classes are held during reading for sixth and seventh graders twice a week and during English for eighth graders once a week.

Highmark Healthy High 5 grant

In 2011, the Marshall Middle School received funding through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant. Marshall Middle School received $8,543 which was used to purchase gym equipment. Beginning in 2006, Highmark Foundation engaged in a 5-year, $100 million program to promote lifelong healthy behaviors in children and adolescents through local nonprofits and schools.

Academic Competitions

;Calcu-Solve Mathematics Competition:
;National Academic League:
;National Middle School Science Bowl:

TSA in MMS

The Technology Student Association at MMS is one of the finest in the district, as the Technology Department offers many different opportunities to the students. They have won many awards at regionals, states, and nationals. The teacher coordinator of this group is Mr. Nick Vorassi.
;Notable Awards
2010
2011
2012
2014
Regional
2nd and 4th, Career Prep
1st and 4th, Challenging Tech Issues
1st, Community Service Video
2nd, Digital Photography
7th, Dragster
2nd, Flight
1st and 2nd, Go Green Manufacturing
6th and 7th, Problem Solving
10th, Structural Model
3rd, Tech Bowl
2nd and 3rd, PA CAD
State
5th and 10th, Challenging Tech Issues
2nd, Community Service
4th, Digital Photography
9th Essays on Technology
7th, Go Green Manufacturing
6th, Tech Bowl
8th, Technical Design
4th and 6th, PA CAD
8th, Tech Bowl - Written

Extracurricular

The Marshall Middle School offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.

Academics

According to PIAA directory July 2013

Intramural Sports

Popular music artist Christina Aguilera is a graduate of Marshall Middle School. Surprisingly, Aguilera was never accepted into the school's choral ensemble but she has gone on to become one of the worlds most successful recording artists in the music industry.