School System Organization

Central Office (703) 248-5600

Dr. Peter Noonan Superintendent

Dr. William Bates Chief Academic Officer

Ms. Kristen Michael Chief Operating Officer

Ms. Julie Macrina Director of Curriculum and Instruction 

Ms. Rebecca Sharp Executive Director of Special Services 

Ms. Angelina Prestipino Director of Special Instruction and Behavioral Services

Dr. Jennifer Santiago Director of Equity and Excellence

Ms. Kimberly Heddings Director of Assessment and Accountability

Ms. Amy Hall Director of Human Resources

Ms. Jennifer Fessenden Pre-K-12 Mathematics Coordinator 

Mr. Steve Knight Pre-K-12 Educational Technology & CTE Coordinator  

Ms. Morgan Occhuizzo Advanced Academic Coordinator 

Ms. MonaLisa Curry Curriculum & Personnel Specialist 

Mr. Anith Muthalaly Data Information Specialist 

Mr. Adam Amerine Division Testing Coordinator

Ms. Patricia Minson Chief Legal Service Officer

Administration (703)720-5702

Dr. Dustin Wright Chief of Schools

Mr. Steven Pickering Principal

Mr. Adam White Assistant Principal

Ms. Brittney Allen-Shaw Special Education Administrator

Mr. Robert Carey Assistant Principal of Student Support

Athletics (703) 248-5598

Mr. Brian Parke Athletic Director

Mr. Patrick Anderson Assistant Athletic Director

Counseling and Student Services Team (703) 720-5706

Mr. Matthew Sowers Director of Secondary School Counseling (6-12)

Ms. Tara Filmyer Counselor (6th Grade)

Ms. Laura Siminski ( 7th Grade A-M)

Ms. Elise Kenney-Caldwell Assistant Director of Secondary School Counseling  (7th Grade N-Z)

Ms. Aliyah Williams (8th Grade)

Ms. Colleen Hoover Social Worker

Ms. Peggy (Margaret) Lloyd  School Psychologist

Ms. Lakisha Talbert Registrar

MYP Coordinator (703) 248-5525

Ms. Denise Rodriguez  IB Middle Years Programme Coordinator

Parent Resource Center (703) 720-5739

Marina Hauber Parent Liaison 

EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES/NONDISCRIMINATION 

Equal educational opportunities shall be available for all students, without regard to sex, sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, disability, ancestry, or marital or parental status. Educational programs shall be designed to meet the varying needs of all students.

No student, on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender, shall be denied equal access to programs, activities, services or benefits or be limited in the exercise of any right, privilege or advantage or be denied equal access to educational and extracurricular programs and activities.

The School Board shall

• provide facilities, programs and activities that are accessible, usable and available to qualified disabled persons;

• provide a free, appropriate education, including non-academic and extracurricular services to qualified disabled persons;

• not exclude qualified disabled persons, solely on the basis of their disabilities, from any preschool, daycare, adult education or career and technical education programs; and

• not discriminate against qualified disabled persons in the provision of health, welfare or social services.

Individuals with disabilities who require assistance or special arrangements to participate in a program or activity sponsored by the Falls Church City Public Schools should contact Ms. Rebecca Sharp at (703) 248- 5630. We request that you provide 48 hours’ notice so that the proper arrangements may be made.

Introduction 

The purpose of the Program of Studies is to provide information for parents/guardians and students about Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School, course offerings, academic programs, and graduation requirements. Course descriptions and recommendations are intended to help students and parents/guardians make decisions about a program of studies appropriate for each student’s needs. Students should review the Program of Studies and consult with their parent/guardian, school counselor, and teachers in planning their individual course of study. 

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School’s first year opening for students was during the 2005-2006 school year with the following grades (5th, 6th, and 7th). The Secondary Schools campus was split between Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and George Mason High School (currently Meridian High School - MHS) which had 8th-12th grade students. The school moved to its current alignment during the 2010-2011 school year returning to a traditional middle school with the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students enrolled. Henderson went through a remodel during the 2020-2021 school year when it finally was physically connected to MHS. The buildings share a state of the art kitchen which serves students between grades 6-12 daily breakfast and lunch. Students have the opportunity with Language Acquisition and Math to move between the cross-campus secondary schools to access courses.     

Henderson is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP). The Middle Years Programme encompasses the 6th‐10th grades, allowing collaboration between middle and high school educators. It is focused on furthering our globally‐minded individualized education. By creating a true IB continuum from K‐12, students experience more alignment with educational themes and concepts. The ten IB learner profile traits are integrated into the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) character education initiative. Eighth grade students participate in the Middle Years Programme (MYP) Community Project, in which they learn about volunteerism, philanthropy, and conflict resolution as they work with local entities. The teachers provide a strong project‐based focus, offering students real‐world experiences and service‐learning opportunities. 

Students are exposed to numerous co‐curricular and extracurricular opportunities, and are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities in the areas of the Humanities, Career Technology Education (CTE), and the Visual and Performing Arts (VPA).  All students have the opportunity to earn high school credit in middle school through enrollment in 8th grade (World History and Geography I or Humanities World History and Geography I) and through enrollment in Language Acquisition courses (American Sign Language, French, and Spanish) level 1 and higher and mathematics courses (Algebra I and higher). 

The school provides 1‐to‐1 computer access, and technology is thoughtfully integrated into the curriculum. All students have access to their assigned MacBook Air during the school day. 

The Encore rotation at Henderson allows students to experience drama, art, music, STEAM integration, career and technical education, and family and consumer science. More than 100 students participate in the annual musical theater performance. Students are exposed to all of the Language Acquisition courses during the 6th grade school year (American Sign Language, French, and Spanish). Students continue to explore Language Acquisition courses from 6-10th grade as part of the MYP. Students are also given the opportunity to select from numerous extra‐curricular clubs and activities. Eighth grade students may try out for Junior Varsity sports, competing alongside high school peers.

The Henderson family, which the school is named, remains actively involved in helping to educate students and staff about Mary Ellen Henderson’s transformative role in the community as an educator and civil rights leader. Henderson MS provides young adolescents a safe place to begin the journey of self‐selecting curriculum opportunities that may lead to lifelong passions and careers. The 2023-2024 school has approximately 620 students enrolled. 

Registration 

Courses listed may be offered at Henderson in the 2024-2025 school year. The teaching of a particular course will depend on the number of students who select that course and the availability of staff. It is not anticipated that every course described in this book will be taught. In some instances, it may be necessary to combine classes so that desired courses can be offered. Grade levels listed for courses indicate the grade(s) in which the course is typically taken. All students will be expected to maintain a schedule of classes required to meet the minimum standards necessary for graduation and Virginia Board of Education regulations.

Please Note: In accordance with School Board Regulation 6.5, MEH will not be able to offer courses that do not meet minimum enrollment numbers at course selection time.

School Day 

Students will be enrolled into 7 academic blocks that include:  Math, Science, Individuals and Societies, Language and Literature, Language Acquisition, PE/Health, and an elective block. Additional time is scheduled for students for Pack (advisory block) and FleX (academic advisement/enrichment).  Classes alternate daily between odd and even days with a block 3 that meets daily on Tuesdays-Fridays. Pack is held on Mondays-Fridays for assigned Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and advisory activities following blocks 1 or 2. Odd days feature blocks 1, Pack/FleX, 3, 5, and 7, and even days feature blocks 2, Pack/FleX, 3,  4, and 6. The school day for students begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:10 p.m. Opportunities for club meetings and extra help occur Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:10-4:30 pm. Students are dismissed at 12:30 pm on shortened Wednesdays which occur once a month.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS 

English Learners Program (EL)

The English Learners (EL) Program courses are designed for the non-native speaker of English with limited English proficiency. Students may be scheduled into an English Language Development (ELD) course as an outcome from initial screening assessments. Exit testing, teacher recommendation, and administrative approval are required before a student exits to mainstream classes. ELs no longer are eligible for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Services after earning a 4.4 overall score or higher on the WIDA (World Class Instruction and Design Assessment). 

Special Education

Henderson serves students with special needs through a Special Education program designed to offer an inclusive education while providing specific support for students to successfully access the curriculum. Special education related services are provided to students with disabilities in alignment with their Individualized Education Plans (IEP). The special education team at Henderson works to ensure that students with disabilities are supported to effectively be positioned to achieve success at MEHMS and beyond. Please contact the Middle School Special Education Administrator (703-720-5719) or the Executive Director of Special Education and Student Services, at the Central Office (703-248-5630) for information concerning Special Education services.

Contact Information