Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools:
Schools to Watch
Great Valley Middle School
2005-08 School Statistics
Source – District’s PSSA AYP Report
Community: Suburban
Enrollment: 981
Grade Levels: 6 - 8
School Schedule: 8 period day including a 15 minute
advocacy seminar at the beginning of the school day,
and 1 period of remediation/enrichment at conclusion
of the school day.
Student Demographics:
86%
3%
3%
8%
8%
2%
Designated in 2009
District: Great Valley School District
Administrative Team: Edward Souders, Principal; Heidi
Capetola, Assistant Principal; Kyle Hammond, Assistant
Principal
Address: 255 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern, PA 19355
County: Chester
Phone: (610) 644-6440
Website: www.gvsd.org
White
Hispanic
African American
Asian
Free/Reduced Lunch
English Learners
2005 AYP:
Grades 6-8: 82% Math
2006 AYP:
Grades 6-8: 80% Math
2007 AYP:
Grades 6-8: 84% Math
2008 AYP:
Grades 6-8 87% Math
87% Reading
89% Reading
89% Reading
91% Reading
Visit www.gvsd.org for additional AYP data
School Characteristics and Replicable Practices
Academic Excellence
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Schedule that supports teaming and differentiation.
Advocacy Seminar occurs daily at the beginning of each day.
PA Standards are embedded within the curriculum framework.
Exemplars are used to guide student work.
Educational trips are integral to reinforcing curriculum.
Enrichment and remediation programs are in place to support all students.
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Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools to Watch
Great Valley Middle School
Developmental Responsiveness
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Advocacy Seminar provides an adult advocate for every student attending GVMS.
Student assistance program (STAR) in place to support students in need.
Grade level teaming is in place to build small learning communities for students and teachers.
WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) is a sixth grade transition program, an eighth grade leadershiptraining program, and a school-wide community-building program. In this program, eighth grade
WEB leaders welcome sixth grade students during the summer and continue mentoring them
throughout the school year.
 Students are provided rich extra-curricular activities, including school sports, intramurals, clubs, and
activities.
 GVMS teachers use best practice instructional methods like Multiple Intelligences, Differentiated
Instruction, and Interdisciplinary activities. Teachers regularly incorporate technology into their
lessons and work together, across teams and even across grade levels, to engage every student.
Social Equity
 Heterogeneous grouping in classrooms with the exception of Language Arts and Mathematics
occurs for all students.
 All teachers design their instruction to meet the learning styles and needs of all students, regardless
of their level.
 Programs and support are available for students who need extra assistance. (8th period remediation,
ESL classes, Strategic reading, etc.).
 Special needs students who require procedural safeguards to ensure their inclusion are all able to
participate in many GVMS classes and have access to our intramural programs.
 Students are encouraged to participate in enrichment opportunities that enhance the school’s
already challenging and developmentally sound core program. Examples include the Envirothon,
Math Counts, the Reading Olympics, the Geography Bee, the Knowledge Bowl, and the Science Fair.
 6th grade Positive ID members work with club sponsors to practice, prepare, and present lessons
about the dangers of drugs to students in our district’s elementary schools.
 Heritage Fest provides GVMS students from various cultures the opportunity to celebrate and share
the traditions of their homeland and families with the school community. Information booths are set
up with parents from the different countries acting as ambassadors and students participate in
fashion shows, music, dances, and the sampling of native foods.
 OLWEUS program minimizes misbehavior, bullying, and threats to school safety.
Organizational Support
 Middle school teachers and building and district level administrators work on a Structures Team to
collaboratively investigate any structural changes that might provide increased opportunities for
students to know academic and social success.
 Strategic Reading course is required for sixth, seventh, and eight grade students who scored basic
and below-basic on the PSSA reading test. Additional courses in Critical Reading and Academic
Literacy courses now in place in seventh and eighth grades to maintain and enrich students’
progress.
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Pennsylvania Don Eichhorn Schools: Schools to Watch
Great Valley Middle School
 Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) give groups (of up to eight teachers focused on
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addressing identified needs) the time necessary to meet, discuss, reflect on, and share best practice
methods.
Technology Integrators and Support Specialist are in place to help infuse technology into instruction.
Communication between the home and school is paramount. PTO and Parent Key Communicators
meet regularly with administration to share information.
GVMS and the entire school community practice a shared decision-making approach that promotes
ownership at all levels and in all areas of the school experience.
A robust partnership and volunteer program allows our community members to contribute their time
and talents to our school. Community members serve as grief counselors, security volunteers, and
food service advisors. In addition, our parents and community members are integral in our
philanthropic, fundraising, and professional development efforts.
Members of the community collaborate on areas as diverse as Career Day, Earth Day, fund raising,
and Professional Development opportunities.