Columbia Middle School

Columbia's Instructional Program

Columbia Middle School, together with the Sunnyvale School District, re-writes different areas of the curriculum each year. This process, which takes place over a 7 year cycle, includes the acquisition of new textbooks and the development of our own Standards of Achievements. Columbia uses an instruction model that supports students in the middle grades. This model emphasizes teaming and interdisciplinary units. Classes are scheduled into four 85 minute academic blocks. The class averages at Columbia are within the contracted class size limits. In 6th grade the class size average is 30, and in 7th and 8th grade the core class average is 32. Columbia has 40 regular classroom teachers, five special education class teachers for our special education students, and six other credentialed specialists supporting students' success in the classroom.

The Columbia staff is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for the students. Programs that emphasize self-esteem, conflict resolution, and gang prevention are part of the curriculum. Students are recognized for their academic, sport, and individual accomplishments through school-wide, team, and classroom activity.