Middle School Program

JMG offers core and customized middle school programs across the state. While each program is tailored to fit the needs of students and our school partners, all share common factors of competency- and experiential-based curriculum delivered by a student-centered JMG Specialist, who tracks the outcomes of each program.

Middle School Core Program

The Middle School Core program helps students develop communication, team-building, leadership, and problem-solving skills through project work and adventure-based activities. It includes a hands-on community service component, teaching students about the importance of giving back. All students participate in the JMG Council, a student-led organization that offers additional opportunities to create a sense of belonging and to put skills into action. Council members elect officers and all students serve on committees.

The middle school program is unique because it is the only program targeted at this age group that provides continued support for students as they transition from middle school into high school. The features of our middle school program include:

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Smaller class sizes

A full-time JMG Specialist is trained, supported, and employed by JMG. As a guest of the host school, the JMG Specialist delivers competency-based model curricula to 40 to 50 students per core program, allowing for smaller class sizes.

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Critical skills

Each partnering school establishes a JMG Advisory Board, including participation from teachers, guidance counselors, and administration. Students have the opportunity to learn critical skills in leadership, teamwork, written communications, public speaking, time management, personal finance, work habits, and career development.

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Full potential

Critical to the success of JMG program is the relationship established between the student and the JMG Specialist. Through classroom instruction and a student-centered personalized learning approach, JMG Specialists help students reach their fullest potential through academic support and building skills to ensure students are successful beyond middle school.

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Giving back

The JMG model also includes community service and philanthropic components, teaching students about the importance of good citizenship and giving back.

Our Model

JMG’s model utilizes experiential-based education through extended learning opportunities, including statewide student enrichment activities, participation in student shadow days at the Maine State Legislature, and opportunities such as college campus information sessions. As a results-driven organization, JMG vigilantly tracks and responds to the outcomes of our programs, always keeping students at the center of the educational process. JMG has a best-in-class outcome data information system. These outcomes, such as graduation rate, continued education rate, retention rate, and GPA, allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

A unique service of JMG that distinguishes our program from others, is our commitment to formal follow-up support of students. Through follow-up, JMG Specialists continue to serve students for a minimum of 12 months after graduating high school. During this period, Specialists provide guidance and mentoring to ensure a smooth transition into post-secondary education, training and/or the workforce, supporting students as they follow through with plans for life after high school.

Program Definitions and Course Offerings

  • Provides delivery of JMG curriculum to traditional JMG students.

    Examples: Windham High School, Skowhegan High School, Lewiston Middle School

  • Provides a Core JMG program to traditional JMG students along with delivering JMG aligned curriculum to a subset of students identified by the school administration. For example, a career prep focused course for all juniors.

    Examples: Calais High School, China Middle School, Brewer High School

  • Rather than a core JMG program, this approach provides JMG aligned curriculum to a subset of students identified by the school administration. For example, career prep to all freshman. No Core.

    Examples: Messalonskee 9th Grade, Mt. View Middle School, Fort Kent Middle/High School

  • The JMG core course teaches our curriculum to 45-55 students in high school or middle school that have been identified as having 4-6 barriers to success. Includes follow up on eighth graders as they transition into high school as well as seniors who graduate from JMG program. Each student is required to complete a minimum of five hours of community service and will participate in the JMG Professional Association. There is an expectation of 100-120 hours of. contact time with each student.

  • The JMG 6th Grade course is designed to help sixth grade students transition from elementary school into middle school. JMG middle school specialists work with sixth grade students in the classroom delivering lessons designed to enhance the skills they will need to be successful in middle school. Specialists provide opportunities for students to learn and practice new skills through conversation, hands on projects, guest speakers, community service, and more.

    Students will develop the following skills:
    • Organization and study skills
    • Communication
    • Self Awareness/Understanding
    • Character Development
    • Team-building/Group Unity

  • Provides services and/or delivery of curriculum that does not fully align with traditional JMG curriculum, but supports the mission of JMG.

    Examples: MELMAC Specialists, Nellie Mae, Somerset County Financial Literacy