University Middle Public Informational Session to be Held Feb. 23

February 18, 2019 The University of Memphis plans to hold a public informational session promoting its proposed middle school, University Middle, on Feb. 23 at 1 p.m. at Bethel Labelle Community Center (2698 Larose Ave.). All members of the community are encouraged and invited to attend.

The University of Memphis is currently responsible for two primary education schools, the UofM Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning and Research Center and Campus School, and has long aspired to build on the success of these programs by adding a middle school. Drawing on the experience and insight of Memphis-area teachers, parents and community leaders, the steering committee will share University Middle's vision to guide all aspects of the new school, including curriculum, student culture, facility planning and hiring. The informational session will also highlight the application process and enrollment priorities which can be found online at https://www.memphis.edu/middleschool/.

The goal of University Middle is to create a cutting-edge public educational program that both capitalizes on the rich resources of the University of Memphis and stands as a model of innovation for middle school education. It will also aim to expand the idea of what a laboratory school can be.

"The University of Memphis has long aspired to build on the success of our Barbara K. Lipman Early Learning and Research Center (pre-K and K) and Campus School (grades 1-5) and has sought to build on the success of these programs by adding a middle school with University Middle," said UofM President M. David Rudd. "The goal is to create a cutting-edge educational program that both capitalizes on the rich resources at the University of Memphis and stands as a model of innovation for a middle school education. It will also aim to expand the idea of what a laboratory school can be."

Through research partnerships across the entire range of University disciplines from education and engineering to philosophy and theatre, to public health and cognitive psychology, University Middle will strive to enhance the learning experience of its students. Moreover, the school is intended to work as a bridge between the University and the community, strengthening the ties between our campus and the diverse neighborhoods around us.

Located in the buildings of the former St. Anne Catholic School at Highland and Spottswood, University Middle will physically extend the main campus, and thus reinforce existing efforts to enhance the southern side of the University.

University Middle hopes to receive its final vote of approval by the Shelby County School Board meeting scheduled for Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m., with applications set to open at https://www.memphis.edu/middleschool/ the day following. Once approved, University Middle will be a public school operating in partnership with SCS and aims to enroll 60 sixth grade students to begin in fall 2019 with subsequent grades to follow with projected enrollment of 90 per class.

For more information, contact committee chairs Kate Schaffzin and Remy Debes at universitymiddle@memphis.edu.