Grades 6–8
Kensington, Maryland
Public/Suburban
Enrollment 675
Montgomery County Public Schools
2007 National School of Character

Character education is an opportunity to enhance the academic, personal, and social-emotional culture of a school. --Nelson McLeod, Principal

Located in a suburb of Washington, DC, Newport Mill Middle School is an example of high poverty students who are succeeding. The school has adopted the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (MYP) approach that focuses lessons around essential questions, international understanding, and critical thinking. The school works hard to create a caring environment where all will feel welcome. Staff members are so committed to the philosophy that many students are called in the morning before school to encourage them to attend; at least 20 students arrive at the building at 6:15 a.m. so their parents can get to shift work jobs. A school employee greets them in the cafeteria to supervise before school begins. Principal Nelson McLeod’s philosophy of inclusion also includes parents who have access to the school’s Parent Resource Center, a joint school and county agency housed in the building. The school presents monthly parent workshops in both English and Spanish. 

Read more about Newport Mill in the 2007 NSOC book:  A Cinderella Story: The Spirit of Excellence

SIGNATURE PRACTICES

Featured Lesson Plan: Caring: Owen and Mzee
Middle school students learn about the important human quality of caring through a children’s book.

Additional Lesson: Jena 6: Washington Post Teacher’s Guide 
Students learn the importance of creating a caring community through activities related the Jena 6 controversy.

Featured Sample Practice: Metamorphosis from Bystander to Ally
Students learn phrases that can help them be an ally to a peer being bullied (handout).
See this lesson in its entirety.

Additional Practice: Take a Stand Tuesday
Learn how Newport Mill’s morning announcements feature character traits.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Nelson McLeod, Principal
Newport Mill Middle School
11311 Newport Mill Road
Kensington, MD 20895
Telephone: (301) 929-2244
E-mail: nelson_mcleod@mcpsmd.org
Web site: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/newportmillms