• Attendance Rates
• Discipline Rates
• Numbers of 504 students
• Numbers of FARMS students
• LEP (Limited English Proficiency) students
• Special Education student enrollment
• AAA Status 

Key Challenge #1: English Language Acquisition & Emotional and Cognitive Abilities

Thirty five percent of Bates’ students speak English as their second language and 13% of our students qualify for special education services.  Our Special Education program includes Regional Programs for students with Emotional Disabilities and Alternate Curriculum Class (ACC).  These challenges create hurdles to learning.  When English is a second language and the majority of school is taught in English, content can move too fast, and the confidence to discuss learning with peers is also a concern.   Similar challenges rise in students with different emotional and cognitive abilities such as a lack of confidence, and the struggle to maintain focus on content.  Bates Middle has incorporated a multitude of supports to assist students and differentiated learning to ensure all students are growing to their full potential.  

Bates Middle has two full time English Language Acquisition (ELA) teachers to instruct our English Learners (ELs) in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, and our ELA teachers also support learning in general education core classes.  Twelve special educators support special education students, and there are additional staff members who support reading and math intervention classes. Bates Middle also acquired a Crisis Intervention position to support the emotional and behavioral needs of students in the Regional Program for Students with Emotional Disabilities. All of our students are unique, and we work hard to provide unique learning experiences to fit their needs. 

• Socio-Economic Issues (employment, income levels, housing costs)
• Unaccompanied youth and homelessness
• Rates of crime
• Limited English proficiency for students and/or families
• Families in Crisis (mental, physical emotional, financial)

Key Challenge #2: Socio-Economic Issues

Bates Middle School is located in the middle of the city of Annapolis, which allows our students to come from a wide variety of different backgrounds.  While we honor the diversity of our students, there are socio-economic challenges that impede the full growth and success of some of our students that we must acknowledge.  The cost of living in Annapolis is an overarching challenge and city residents have a wide range of income levels. These disparities in household income levels, in turn, create challenges for our students with different levels of needs and resources.  Housing concerns, a lack of food and necessities, as well as a lack of internet and technology are a few major concerns for some students.  The resulting stress associated with these disparities often leads to social and emotional challenges that directly impact learning for some of our students.

Key Challenge #3: Students in Trauma 

Many students come to Bates with numerous needs beyond education.  Full staff training provides teachers with the skills to determine when a student is in trauma and may need additional support.  Teachers have also been trained with de-escalation techniques to help prevent conflicts from escalating, ultimately calming the student and refocusing them on learning.  We take pride in providing and recommending additional resources to support the needs of our students and their families.  Maryland Food Bank supports our students with a food pantry, Crisis Mobile is available for any parent that needs help with their child, our entire staff is trained in de-escalation strategies, and there are two Children’s Guild specialists who provide therapy to students at school.  In addition, the Bates Middle staff strive to provide a balanced support system for all of our students.  

• Socio-economic community issues (employment, income levels, housing costs)
• Significant changes over time in student/community demographics
• Significant increase/reduction in student enrollment numbers