Jessica Kelly (L) and Middle School students
Jessica Kelly, Gifted and Talented Educational Services (GATES) teacher and 20 middle school students embody the School entity of the Maine Community Heritage Project (MCHP).
Scarborough Middle School has more than 800 students in grades 6-8. Its philosophy is based on the "school-within-a-school" concept. There are five "teams" and a student stays on the same team for all three years of middle school. This approach allows teachers to more effectively embed 21st-century skills in the curriculum using a model of rigor, relevance and relationships.
The Maine Community Heritage Project (MCHP) provides students with the opportunity to engage in learning that is authentic, place-based, and service-oriented.
- Students are involved in genuine learning that empowers them to apply knowledge and skills learned in school to authentic tasks, making education much more meaningful to them.
- Students form stronger bonds with the place they live, and enhance their appreciation of it. At the same time, improved access to their local history and natural resources turns students into stewards of their environments and community.
- Students provide a useful service that benefits the community and fosters civic engagement--something that is very important to Scarborough Middle School and is an essential part of its CSS program .