Dear Students and Families,

Welcome back to James S. Rickards Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable summer. We are thrilled to see the progress of our new school building, which is on schedule to open for the 2025-2026 school year.

As we prepare to embark on another exciting academic journey, I am delighted to share our new school theme: "Mission I'm Possible." This theme, should you choose to accept it, will help us reinforce a mindset that challenges are surmountable. It reflects our commitment to empowering every student to “Soar to Excellence” (our school's motto) with effort and perseverance.

Reflecting on the 2023-2024 school year, I am incredibly proud of the academic achievements and growth our students demonstrated. Our school's accomplishments are a testament to the collaborative efforts of our students, families, and dedicated staff. Together, we have created an environment where learning thrives, and every student has the opportunity to succeed. I am proud to highlight the following academic accomplishments from our 2023-2024 school performance data:

English Language Arts (ELA): 41% Proficiency (5-point increase from the 2022-2023 school year)

ELA Learning Gains: 58% Achievement (highest in the past 5 years)

ELA Lowest Quartile: 55% Achievement (highest in the past 6 years)

Math: 41% Proficiency (5-point increase from the 2022-2023 school year)

Math Learning Gains: 54% Achievement (highest in the past 6 years)

Math Lowest Quartile: 62% Achievement (highest in the past 6 years)

Science: 46% Proficiency (9-point increase from the 2022-2023 school year)

Civics: 59% Proficiency (4-point increase from the 2022-2023 school year)

Middle School Acceleration: 80% Achievement (highest in the past 3 years)

As we begin this new school year, "Mission I'm Possible" will guide us in setting high expectations, fostering a positive school culture, and encouraging each other to strive for excellence. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and enriching learning environment where every student can explore their potential and achieve their goals. After all, we are RMS…RESPECTFUL, MINDFUL, and SAFE!

Our dedicated teachers and staff have been preparing throughout the summer to welcome our students back with engaging and challenging educational experiences. We are excited to introduce new programs and initiatives that will enhance our academic offerings and support the holistic development of our students.

To our returning families, thank you for your continued support and partnership. To our new Rocket families, we extend a warm welcome and look forward to getting to know you and your children. Together, we will make this school year a memorable and successful one.

Let’s embrace "Mission I'm Possible" and make the 2024-2025 school year our best one yet! I am confident that with our collective efforts, we will continue to achieve great things.

Welcome back, and let’s get ready to “Soar to Excellence.”

Warm regards,

Erick Gurreonero, Principal
James S. Rickards Middle School