MSS About

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOUTH

Robin Murdock

Robin Murdock, Principal

MurdockR@gjps.org


I am thrilled to serve as the principal of Middle School South. Middle School South (MSS) is one of three quality middle schools in the Gahanna-Jefferson School District. We invite you to visit Middle School South, and get to know our staff and our campus. MSS is a great school supported by an exceptional staff. Our staff takes pride in building relationships while connecting with students on an individual basis. It is our belief that students will thrive academically and socially in a climate where all have a sense of belonging and respect for one another.

MSS strives to create an atmosphere where individuals develop to their academic potential, as well as their human potential. We are excited about the opportunity to meet you, and to work with you and your child. Welcome to the MSS family!

Robin Murdock, Principal
Middle School South


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Links of Interest

Infinite Campus: 24/7 Student Data Access and Information

District Calendar: For general information such as holidays and grade card dates.

School Events Calendar: Special events such as student activities and special school events.

Middle school athletics: For a complete schedule of all middle school boys and girls sports events.

Forms: Links to district information, as well as required and optional forms.

Handbook & Newsletter: Student/Parent Handbook and current newsletter.

PTO: A list of meetings and officers for the current year.

Bullying report form PDF (Anonymous)

Staff Information: Check the staff directory for a complete listing of staff, including e-mail addresses and classroom portals.

Frequently Used Phone Numbers

Office: (614) 337-3730

Absences: (614) 337-3730

Fax: (614) 413-3588

WELCOME TO MIDDLE SCHOOL SOUTH - WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE!

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School and FACULTY INFORMATION

Middle School South (MSS) currently serves approximately 600 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students. Enrollment is expected to increase in the future. The school colors are blue and gold, and the mascot is the lion. The school mottos are "Dream Big" and "Gain, Maintain, and Strive for Success at MSS!"

MSS currently has 48 teaching faculty, two counselors and two administrators. The average classroom experience is 10 years and 81% of the MSS staff have completed a Master's degree or beyond. In addition, there are 15 staff members who serve in the areas of food and custodial services, office support and health services.

Our Focus

The school philosophy addresses itself to the growth of the total student. The primary concern is the development of academic skills. These skills can best be achieved through self-discipline (student awareness of appropriate behavior), health development (emotional and physical growth), and concern for the students' ability to become contributing members of the society in which they live and work, with special emphasis on career opportunities.


TRANSPORTATION and FACILITIES

School bus transportation is provided to students who reside over one mile (plus or minus one-tenth) from our school. To determine if your household is within this school's boundaries, please visit the Transportation Department's Bus Routes page and enter your street address using Transfinder i. Results from the search will list the school(s) for your household or show "address not found," which indicates that the address is not in the Gahanna-Jefferson Public School's boundaries. For further assistance, contact the Transportation Office at (614) 751-7581.

Middle School South is a two-story building of traditional classroom design located on a 28-acre site that also includes a track, a football field and a soccer/softball complex. All middle schools are wired for closed circuit television as well as the Internet. Each academic classroom has five computers, which are utilized as part of the instructional process.


Curriculum & Grading Scale

At the middle school level, academic courses include: language arts/reading, mathematics, science and social studies. French, Chinese and Spanish international language courses are available to students during their eighth-grade year.

The related arts program at MSS includes: art, general music, health, home economics, physical education and technology education. Students also have the option of participating in the band, choir and strings programs offered at each grade level.

MSS offers its students a large variety of instructional materials to enhance learning. Students have daily access to library books, newspapers, magazines, computers, scanners and printers, as well as Internet access.

A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F 0-59%
I Incomplete

Special Education, Gifted Education and Pupil Services

Special Education Services are available for students with learning, speech/language, physical, developmental, emotional and multiple disabilities; the Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Program offers a variety of programs to appropriately meet the needs of academically gifted students; and Pupil Services provides trained expertise to meet students' individual needs in a variety of areas such as psychologists, counselors, English as a second language (ESL) and health care services. To find out more about the services offered under each of these areas, please click on the program's title.


Outstanding Programs and Services

MSS offers the same range of accelerated academic offerings as the other middle schools and students in these classes often excel in higher-level classes during their high school career. The special needs students benefit from a strong inclusion program that affords them the opportunity to learn and excel in the regular classroom setting. Middle School South is also known for its excellence in the areas of community service and leadership, regularly receiving top awards at state and national levels.

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For more information about our school or to arrange a tour, please contact the school office at (614) 337-3730 during regular school hours.