1903 Bartlett Avenue, Altoona, WI 54720
Telephone 715-839-6030 Fax 715-839-6099

Jack Wagener,  Principal

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Altoona Middle School
A Place Where Everyone Can Succeed

We believe each and every child deserves a world class education…welcome to Altoona Middle School! Students, parents and the community are welcome into the planning and preparation of their child’s future. Our curriculum offers rich academic and exploratory courses supported with abundant technology. Altoona Middle School staff utilizes teaming, project-based learning and cooperation to facilitate a school environment where the focus is on the whole child’s intellectual, emotional and social development. If Altoona Middle School can ignite the child to learn to live and love to learn while embracing challenge and change, we have accomplished our goal. Our highly qualified staff is blessed with great community support. You are always welcome here. Please stay in touch and visit us often. The coffee is hot and the water is cold!

Jack Wagener
AMS Principal and proud member of the AMS Team

Philosophy

The philosophy of Altoona Middle School is to educate our children in partnership with the family and community to live responsible, creative and fulfilling lives as contributing citizens of the United States and the world.

Mission

Altoona Middle School is dedicated to providing a comprehensive curriculum that recognizes the unique intellectual, physical, social, emotional and artistic needs of the young adolescent.

We provide programs and opportunities emphasizing:

•High academic standards
•Accountability
•Cooperation and respect for others
•Exploration and creativity
•Problem solving and decision making
•Proficiency in current technologies
Our goal is that through these efforts, students will become competent and confident with the skills and knowledge needed to meet the challenges of the future.

Our School

Altoona Middle School is a fifth through eighth grade facility serving the needs of approximately 500 students. We believe in partnerships at Altoona Middle School. When students, staff and parents/guardians are working together, then schools are a place for student success, which is both academically stimulating and emotionally supportive. Through this partnership approach, we hold students accountable for both academics and behavior.

The middle school philosophy will be increasingly understood.

•Students will become increasingly responsible for their own behavior and academic achievement.
•As partnerships are fostered, trust will be increasingly exhibited throughout the middle school community.
•The students are held accountable for mastery of the curriculum.
Middle School Beliefs

During the early adolescent years (ages 10 to 14) students are different than elementary or high school pupils. They are in the most dramatic period of growth and change of their educational lives.

Instruction at the middle school must be different than at elementary or high school. Our middle school strives to teach students based on how an early adolescent thinks.

Educational programs must also be different. Effective learning in the middle school has opportunities for both additional help and challenge. The program addresses the interests and needs of the "whole child".

Middle School Curriculum

Altoona Middle School strives to offer educational experiences which promote growth, challenge and success. instruction is adapted to the rates of learning, achievement and reading levels of the students. Pupils participate in a core curriculum of English and spelling, reading, science, math, and social studies. Interdisciplinary meetings are held among staff members to evaluate student progress and to make adjustments as necessary.

Exploratory Curriculum

In addition to core classes, middle school students study subjects such as art, music, family and consumer education, foreign culture, business, technology education, and physical education. These courses are important, as they allow students to explore their interests, prepare them for independent living and are a basis for later educational choices.

Activities/Programs

Students may also choose to participate in several of the 70 enrichment activities which allow them to develop their interests and talents, as well as any of the 10 different athletic programs that are offered to our students.