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Principal's Corner Mr. Eric Olson, Principal, Elm Place School
Welcome to Mr. Olson's web pages at Elm Place School. Visitors to this part of the school’s website will get to know about Elm Place, and they will also find links to other web pages of interest to members of the Elm Place school community.
Elm Place School was originally built in 1869, the year the city of Highland Park was incorporated. Students at Elm Place Middle School enjoy a rigorous public school education addressing the “3r’s” and much much more. Students receive instruction in the fundamental learning areas (math, science, social studies, English language arts, literature, physical education & health) as well as in music (general, band, orchestra, vocal), art, technology, industrial arts, family & consumer sciences. The faculty and staff at Elm Place are committed to providing a quality education in a welcome environment.
Link to the Illinois State Board of Education Websites - Learn about the new ISAT tests - help support your child's educational preparation!
Elm Place School adheres to a "middle school" philosophy in that it recognizes students are going through a transition period between elementary and high school while at the same time trying to cope with the challenges of adolescence. Students in grade six begin a three year advisory looping process (they stay with the same Home Base/ Advisory teacher for three years).
In addition, sixth grade students are also given a "Selective Elective" program in which they have the opportunity to explore different exploratory classes (student skills, languages, art, music, family & consumer sciences, and industrial arts) in order to help them with their elective-block choice selection as seventh and eighth graders. In grades seven and eight, students have the five basic subjects, physical education, two electives of their choice (over 80% of the students select a foreign language) and lunch to complete a nine period day each quarter.
The mission of the Advisor-Advisee Program at Elm Place Middle School is to provide a supportive, safe, and familiar environment in which sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students can experience personal, educational, and social growth. The goals of the program are to foster positive teacher/student relationships and to establish a special, strong bond linking each student with one teacher who knows and cares about them. Advisory activities aid in the development of positive self-esteem, provide opportunities for reflective thinking, promote the tolerance of diverse views, foster logical decision making, and encourage concern for the welfare of fellow human beings. Additionally, the advisory program helps promote academic and social success and academic support. It also provides for home school communication as well as establish a caring environment for each student. The Advisory program functions to assist in scheduling educational programs and activities as well as providing for community service opportunities and service learning projects.
The school administration fosters collaborative planning and open communication through building meetings twice monthly, a mission and beliefs committee, time for co-planning by grade levels, pupil personnel child study team, mentoring, student assistance programs (SAP) and staff development programs. Students are involved in planning and developing activities and programs through Student Council, grades 6-7 and the eighth grade executive cabinet.
Click Here for Links to the National Middle School Association Web Pages
Elm Place offers students many extra and co-curricular activities and sports to enhance the rigorous academic program of studies. Please click the link below for more information about Elm Place.
Click here for a listing of Elm Place Activities and Sports Information
