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A Standard of Excellence
Carson's improvement plans and processes are collaborative, clear, strategic, and evaluated consistently.
Carson's school improvement plans and processes address the learning needs, interests, and postsecondary aspirations of all students.
Carson's school improvement plans and processes reflect systems of shared responsibility and distributive leadership as part of continuous improvement.
In the School- Who we are...
Who we are....
98% of our students have parents, or guardians, that serve our country through the United States Army.
"Carson Middle School represents 1% of "like" middle schools in the nation. Our location on Fort Carson Army Post as a proud member school of Fountain Fort Carson School District 8- has created one of the most opportunistic, diverse and unique dynamics in a school setting."
"Students at Carson Middle School have on average attended six schools in their young academic career. This factor trends opposite of the norm we find in neighborhood school districts where most students enter first grade and finish their academic career (high school graduation) within the same district."
"48% of Carson Middle School students do not finish their three years at CMS based on PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves, parent retirement from the military, or other reasons.
As of 2023-24 we have approximately 625 students representing our diversity through their birthplaces in the following states/countries/regions:
American Samoa, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming, Belgium, Germany, Ukraine, Italy, Japan, and South Korea.
Less than 8% of our students were born in Colorado.
Step One- How do we measure Academic Success?
Step One- How do we measure Academic Success?
All Curriculum taught at CMS is aligned to Colorado Academic and Essential Skills Standards. Based on this factor, a CDE State Standards growth measurement is used at Carson Middle School to determine student levels and benchmark goals.
Staff identification and creation of common instructional content/grade level strategies are the result of this process. During the 2022-2023 school year, these strategies were built to align to specific Math and ELA targeted Illuminate District Testing and CMAS State Assessments as a measure growth for all students at CMS.
2022-2023 Progress and Growth Measurement (Two Measures):
Our first model of Standards measurement is aligned to Math and ELA Illuminate District Testing/CDE standards. The 2022-2023 District Illuminate goal:
To increase 5% growth for all sub groups based on Average % Correct Growth data in Math and ELA Fall/Spring District Illuminate test scores
Our second model of Standards measurement is aligned to the Colorado Measures of Academic Success Statewide Assessment. The 2022-23 CMAS growth measurement goal:
A 45 Median Percentile Growth for both Math and ELA and growth in all sub group categories.
2022-2023 Illuminate Results- District 8 Assessment Math/ELA
● ELA 6th Grade Fall Average % Correct 2022-2023= 22.7 Average% Correct
● ELA 6th Grade Spring Average % Correct 2022-2023= 38.7 Average% Correct
● Growth = 16.0 points.
● ELA 7th Grade Fall Average % Correct 2022-2023= 30.6 Average% Correct
● ELA 7th Grade Spring Average % Correct 2022-2023= 42.4 Average% Correct
● Growth= 11.8 points.
● ELA 8th Grade Fall Average % Correct 2022-2023= 35.2 Average% Correct
● ELA 8th Grade Spring Average % Correct 2022-2023= 40.0 Average% Correct
● Growth = 4.8 points.
● Math 6th Grade Fall Average % Correct 2022-2023= 18.3 Average% Correct
● Math 6th Grade Spring Average % Correct 2022-2023= 35.3 Average% Correct
● Growth= 17 points
● Math 7th Grade Fall Average % Correct 2022-2023= 22.2 Average% Correct
● Math 7th Grade Spring Average % Correct 2022-2023= 21.0 Average% Correct
● Decrease= -1.2
● Math 8th Grade Fall Average % Correct 2022-2023= 15.2 Average% Correct
● Math 8th Grade Spring Average % Correct 2022-2023= 16.9 Average% Correct
● Growth= 1.7 points
2022-2023- CMAS- Colorado Measures of Academic Success State Assessment.
We used CMAS Median Percentile Growth data over a two-year period to assess our Math/ELA growth goals for the following subgroups: schoolwide, free and reduced lunch, minority students, and Special Education Students.
School Wide
ELA 2021-22 ELA 2022-23 Growth
39 Median Percentile Growth 45.5 Median Percentile Growth +6.5
Math 2021-22 Math 2022-2023
25.5 Median Percentile Growth 40.5 Median Percentile Growth +15
Free and Reduced Lunch
ELA 2021-22 ELA 2022-23 Growth
44 Median Percentile Growth 45 Median Percentile Growth +1
Math 2021-22 Math 2022-2023
28 Median Percentile Growth 39 Median Percentile Growth +11
Minority Students
ELA 2021-22 ELA 2022-23 Growth
38.5 Median Percentile Growth 46 Median Percentile Growth +7.5
Math 2021-22 Math 2022-2023
27 Median Percentile Growth 42 Median Percentile Growth +7.5
Special Education
ELA 2021-22 ELA 2022-23 Growth
34 Median Percentile Growth 39 Median Percentile Growth +5
Math 2021-22 Math 2022-2023
N/A Median Percentile Growth 39 Median Percentile Growth TBD
In the Classroom (under construction)
In the Classroom (under construction)
How do we determine our Student's Needs Interests?
The changes that took place over the last five years in education uncovered flaws in past and future academic support systems for students. Designated pathways of student achievement did not necessarily reflect their interests, specific skill sets, and our unique transient environment. Instead of the standard task measurement of academic achievement, a shift to a growth mindset model of learning is essential for students to attain confidence and motivation during their time at Carson Middle School.
Student Voice (under construction)
Student Voice (under construction)
Student Voice= Student Interest
Student Voice= Student Interest
After several challenging years of change and uncertainty, Carson Middle School committed to rebuilding foundational systems based on student interest. Centered in this work, our team buit a student centered schedule based on student "voice" guiding the process. The result- one of the most robust middle school elective choices in the Pikes Peak region. The design of these elective courses are aligned with the district vision of building PWR (Post Workforce Readiness), CTE (Career Technical Education) pathways, cross-curricular supports for core subjects, and tiered levels of individual student growth. In short, "when students find their passion, or interest, in the school setting- they achieve in all facets of the school life."
Career Technical Education
Career Technical Education
Students gain skills aligned to their specific interests which bolster cross curricular instruction and begin the journey towards potential skill trade pathways.
PWR Pathways
PWR Pathways
28 Current Elective Options aligned with Fountain Fort Carson High school programs that allows students to explore their interests, gain skills, and find their passion!
Student First Scheduling
Student First Scheduling
A Master Schedule that allows teacher the opportunity to align their content expertise, discover strategies to help students grow, and build support/relationships with all students.
Foundational Resources for the Student Learning
Foundational Resources for the Student Learning
Rigorous Instruction through Strategic Curriculum Resources
What and how we teach are instrumental in our approach to student learning. The system at Carson Middle school is two fold- as we have adapted our approach to education after the pandemic and focused on student interest, voice, and skill development; it is essential we build upon our work through viable, applicable, and hands on curriculum. Thus, our core classrooms (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies) have built in systems of instruction in partnership with curriculum programs that are meaningful, real life applicable, and aligned to Colorado State Standards.
Our Professional Learning Community
Our Professional Learning Community
As we have built strong resources for students in relation to their individual student interests it is essential to identify the major components of good instruction- our teachers. The staff at CMS has identified four tiers of growth in our approach to student learning. These tiers provide opportunities at leadership across the building as we have identified and retained a highly talented teaching staff. In addition, our tiered strategy allows for teachers to demonstrate leadership in developing strategic intervention support, shifting culture, and transforming instruction. This work is done on a daily basis through our design PLC schedule where teachers have the opportunity to vertically and horizontally align best practices based on content, or specific grad level conversations.
Student Voice- In and out of the classroom
Student Voice- In and out of the classroom
Update 2023-
In the spring 576 CMS students provided us insight through a district survey based on a series of student perspective questions. As you can see by this data our students overwhelmingly value their education and our collective planning has been instrumental in establishing effective strategies that students feel they have learned during their time at Carson Middle School.
Student Testimonials
Video Link of student panels on learning process at CMS. Stay tuned!
Step One- How do we measure Academic Success?
Step One- How do we measure Academic Success?
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