Self-Assessment: Prepared 

Wellcome Middle School fosters a schoolwide culture of inquiry, creativity, and inclusion that intentionally supports every student—especially those from groups historically underrepresented in the STEM education pipeline. With a student population that is approximately 46% African American, 44% Hispanic, 6% Caucasian, and 4% representing other ethnicities, the majority of Wellcome’s students are members of groups traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. This demographic context reinforces the school’s commitment to ensuring that all students have meaningful access to high-quality STEM learning experiences.

A general culture of inquiry is embedded across all classrooms, not limited to STEM-specific courses. All teachers implement the WMS Learning-Focused/WICOR Lesson Plan Template, which requires regular integration of AVID WICOR strategies—Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading. Inquiry-based learning is an expectation in every classroom at least once per week, with STEM teachers incorporating inquiry multiple times per week. This consistent instructional approach ensures that students regularly engage in questioning, problem solving, and hands-on exploration across content areas.

Wellcome Middle School also implements intentional structures and supports to increase long-term participation in STEM among historically underrepresented groups.

Targeted Support for English Learners
The ELL program provides individualized instruction designed to build proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Lessons incorporate inquiry-based strategies, academic conversations, scaffolding, and targeted vocabulary development to ensure English Language Learners can fully access grade-level STEM content. These supports promote both language development and confidence in STEM-related learning tasks.

Title I Supports and Family Engagement
As a Title I school, Wellcome intentionally leverages Title I resources to support underrepresented students academically and socially. Title I Nights engage families in STEM learning, strengthen home–school partnerships, and provide opportunities for students to showcase their work and build confidence in STEM settings.

Diverse and Inclusive Literacy Resources
To ensure students see themselves reflected in STEM-related learning, the media center received a dedicated budget to acquire diverse books.

Dual Language Science Instruction
Wellcome’s Dual Language Program includes a sixth-grade science class taught in Spanish by Mr. Fernando Arévalo through the Participate Learning model. This immersive program strengthens bilingual students’ critical thinking skills, cultural awareness, and access to STEM content through their native language. Dual language students often outperform their peers academically by 20–40%, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in expanding access and achievement.

Through these intentional instructional practices, programs, and culturally responsive supports, Wellcome Middle School ensures that all students—particularly those from historically underrepresented groups—are encouraged, included, and prepared to pursue long-term opportunities in STEM. This commitment is central to the school’s vision and is reflected daily through instruction, programming, data-informed practices, and schoolwide culture.

AVID College and Career Readiness

Wellcome Middle is an AVID school which means opportunities are presented to our underrepresented students that they wouldn't necessarily have. A key element of AVID is building relational capacity to ensure students can successfully navigate three critical areas; rigorous academic preparedness, opportunity knowledge, and student agency. With AVID, our students have had the opportunity to visit different colleges, have guest speakers, organize a Global Festival, and have Paint nights. 

Clubs and Organizations

Title 1 Parent Events