• Discipline Rates,
• Numbers of FARMS students,
• LEP (Limited English Proficiency) students
• PARCC Scores - Mathematics (Middle grades 6, 7,8) 
• PARCC Scores - English/Language Arts (Middle grades 6, 7, 8)

Key Challenge #1: PARCC scores Reading/Math

The Math and Reading PARCC scores for Old Mill Middle North students have remained relatively the same with little growth in either area. The data trends for student achievement who have met or exceeded standards (scoring a 4 or 5) on PARCC from 2014-2018 is as follows:

PARCC Math	2014-2015	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018
Math 6	24%	30%	29%	26%
Math 7	23%	25%	29%	32%
Math 8	8%	14%	12%	8%
Algebra	80%	75%	82%	85%

PARCC ELA	2014-2015	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018
ELA 6	31%	34%	36%	30%
ELA 7	37%	37%	33%	43%
ELA 8	48%	37%	28%	27%

While there has been progressive change in Algebra over the last couple of years, the number of students who met or exceeded standards in Math and ELA has ebbed and flowed. As evidenced by the data, there is room for growth.  These trends have been examined over the years and changes have been made to help build student capacity to meet and exceed the tested standards. 

Helping families and students to utilize the tools needed both at school and home are important to helping students succeed. Hosting Math Nights helps build awareness to the critical needs of students in math. Additionally, hosting book fairs exposes students to the fascinating world of books and promotes reading for pleasure and lifelong learning. Moreover, allowing students  extra time in the Math classrooms through the Intervention and Independence period and working with the Literacy Coach to promote reading across all curriculums will help students better prepare to be successful on their assessments. (Indicator 6, 1, 2)

• Socio-Economic Issues (employment, income levels,housing costs)
• Limited English proficiency for students and/or families
• Families in Crisis (mental, physical emotional, financial)
• Substance Abuse,
• Inclusion of programs of choice

Key Challenge #2: Inclusion of Program of Choice

Implementing the Middle Years Programme with fidelity is a key challenge in our school. Additionally, making sure that the “Principles to Practice” as highlighted by the International Baccalaureate Office is implemented, while fulfilling the requirements of Anne Arundel County Schools is a commitment we take very seriously. Our teachers work closely with our MYP coordinator, School Performance Coach, and Literacy Coach during collaborative planning in order to make sure each student is getting an authentic learning experience that meets the requirements of being a MYP school. Infusing field trips, cross-curricular lessons, global context, and learner profile traits into our classroom sets us apart from other middle schools in the county. We will work on recruiting prospective students at the eligible schools in order to fill our seats in the MYP program and make the school-wide MYP experience one representative of diversity. We will continue to work with parents and community members to allow our school access to learning experiences that exist outside of the traditional curriculum to give all students the best learning experience possible. (Indicators, 11, 1, 2, 12, 16)

Key Challenge #3: Families in Crisis (mental, physical, emotional, financial)

Most students who experience trauma do not have the coping skills necessary to balance dealing with their individual trauma and maintaining successful learning habits. Our students who have experienced trauma have gaps in their education from not being able to properly deal with their trauma and cope with the stresses of school. We are seeing an increase in students resorting to self-harm and who have suicidal ideations due to the lack of coping skills necessary. Social-emotional health is crucial to helping students receive the skills needed to balance their stress in their daily lives and being able to perform successfully in their academic growth. Supports and professional developments have been put in place to help teachers and staff better understand the signs of trauma, how to help students in the classroom who experience trauma, and how to handle behaviors that manifest due to significant trauma a student has endured. At Old Mill Middle North we have added a fourth counselor for extra support to students and families in need. We have grown our counseling services with Villa Maria having two full-time counselors in our building for intensive support to students and families. Our focus is to continue to educate staff on the different types of student trauma and how to better serve their students through different approaches to learning. We will continue our partnership with Villa Maria for students who need the extra support. We will continue to work closely with our PPW to help families receive outside services that will allow relief and healing. Our goal is to help the “whole” child in order to give them the skills and support needed to be successful through their lifetime. (Indicators 1,2,4,6) 

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