The school has a safe, civil, healthy, and intellectually stimulating learning environment.  Students feel respected and connected with the staff and are engaged in learning.  Instruction is personalized and small learning environments student contact with teachers.

Resources Websites:

• http://www.goodschools.gwu.edu/ NCCSR Publications. Bookmark. Past Bookmarks. November 2001. "Improving School Climate"
• http://www.learningfirst.org/publications/safeschools "Every Child Learning: Safe and Supportive Schools"
• http://www.wested.org/policy/pubs/full_text/pb_ft_csr23.htm Policy Brief 23, August 1998 "Class Size Reduction: Lessons Learned from Experience"
• http://www.prrac.org/pubs_aiu.php "Add It Up: Using Research to Improve Education for Low-Income and Minority Students"
• http://www.ed.gov/pubs/ClassSize/practice.html#student Class Size and Students At Risk April 1998 "Instructional Practice and Student Behavior"
• http://staff.washington.edu/sdrg/ Social Development Research Group, U of W., David Hawkins and Richard Catalano
• http://www.nwrel.org/ Programs & Projects "National Resource Center for Safe Schools" & "National Mentoring Center"
• http://www.safetyzone.org/ 
• http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/ School Mental Health Project, Howard Adelman and Linda Taylor
• http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v9n30.html EPAA August 17, 2001 "Committing to Class-Size Reduction and Finding the Resources to Implement It: A Case Study of Resource Reallocation" Allan Odden and Sarah Archibald
• http://www.search-institute.org/ 

Publications:

• Adelman, H. and Taylor, L. (1999) New Directions in Enhancing Educational Results: Policymaker’s Guide to Restructuring Student Support Resources to Address Barriers to Learning, The Center for Mental Health in Schools, UCLA, Los Angeles.
• Brandon. R. (2000). Impact of Peer Substance Use on Middle School Performance in Washington, Washington Kids Count, Human Services Policy Center, Evans School of Public Affairs, Seattle, WA: University of Washington.
• Cotton, K. (1995). Research You Can Use to Improve Results. Alexandria, VA: ASCD and Portland, OR:  NWREL. See chapter 2, Management and Organization.
• DePorter, B., Reardon, M. and Singer-Nourie, S. (1999). Quantum Teaching: Orchestrating Student Success.  Boston: Allyn and Bacon. See chapter 4, Orchestrating a Supportive Environment; chapter 9, Orchestrating Life Skills.
• Dryfoos, J. G. (1998). Full-Service Schools: A Revolution in Health and Social Services for Children, Youth, and Families. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass Education Series.
• Dryfoos, J. G. (1998). Safe Passage: Making It Through Adolescence in a Risky Society. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Elias, M. J. et. al. (1997). Promoting Social and Emotional Learning. Guidelines for Educators. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
• Freiberg, J. (Ed.) (1999). School Climate: Measuring, Improving and Sustaining Healthy Learning Environments. New York: The Falmer Press.
• Hawkins, J. D. (1999). Preventing Crime and Violence Through Communities That Care, European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, 7, 443-458.
• Hawkins, J. D., Catalano, R. F., Kosterman, R., Abbott, R., and Hill, D. G. (1999). Preventing Adolescent Health-Risk Behaviors by Strengthening Protection During Childhood. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 153(3), 226-239.
• Irvin, J. L. (Ed.) (1997). What Current Research Says to the Middle Level Practitioner. Columbus, OH:  National Middle School Association. See section II, Teaching/Learning.
• Johnson, D. W. and Johnson, R. T. (1995). Reducing School Violence through Conflict Resolution. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
• Kohn, A. (1996). Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.
• Kushman, J. (Ed.) (1997). Look Who's Talking Now: Student Views of Learning in Restructuring Schools.  Portland. OR: Regional Educational Laboratory Network by the Restructuring Collaborative.
• NASSP. (1996). Breaking Ranks. Changing an American Institution. Report of NASSP in partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching on the high school of the 21st century. Alexandria, VA:  NASSP. See chapter Three. School Environment. Creating a Climate Conducive to Teaching and Learning.
• Payne, R. K. (1998). A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Baytown, TX: RFT Publishing Co.
• Starkman, N. et. al (1999). Great Places to Learn: How Asset-Building Schools Help Students Succeed.  Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute.
• Stockard, J. and Mayberry, M. (1992). Effective Educational Environments. Newbury Park, CA: Corwin Press, Inc. See chapter 2. School and Classroom Climates; chapter 3, School Resources and School and Classroom Size.

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