Principal’s Message

Welcome to the Thomas A. Blake Middle School. Our middle school encompasses grades six through eight and focuses on the learning needs of early adolescents. Emphasis is placed on academic success and acquisition of basic skills. In addition, students are supported in the development of life-long learning habits and behaviors.

The middle school program at the Thomas A. Blake Middle School utilizes the interdisciplinary team approach at each grade level. Within each grade level, teachers and students are assigned to a cluster. Students in a specific cluster work exclusively with four to five teachers for English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language. Clustering of students and teachers allows teachers to know their students well as learners. Teachers in each cluster work together to address the learning styles and needs of their students.

Students also experience Related Arts courses which include, Physical Education, Art, Health, Consumer Science, Performance Music (Band, Chorus, Orchestra), and General Music. These courses provide our students with opportunities to demonstrate their talents and in many instances introduce new programs in an exploratory setting.

Our beliefs about teaching and learning at the Thomas A. Blake Middle School are demonstrated daily with the 4R’s of Responsibility, Respect, Resourcefulness and Reflection.

• Learners need to be responsible for their actions, words and deeds.
• Learners need to be respectful of others and themselves as we work to build a safe, supportive community for all.
• Learners need to be resourceful, by exploring options, listening to different points of view and uncovering their own answers.
• Learners need to be reflective, taking pride in their successes and learning from their mistakes.

These attributes are embedded in every aspect of teaching from our Advisory program to our many after-school intramurals.

In 2006, The New England League of Middle Schools identified the Thomas A. Blake Middle School as a NELMS Spotlight School. This three-year award reflects the school’s “consistent observance of middle school best practices” and also recognizes the commitment our staff has made to teaching and learning.

Behind every successful school is a supportive and collaborative community. Our stakeholders continue to provide us with opportunities to improve our middle school programming as we strive to create a warm, safe and engaging environment where all students can achieve success.

Robert A. Parga

Principal