Hill Classical Middle School implemented a school-wide writing program seven years ago to improve student achievement. This decision was based on the research of Dr. Doug B. Reeves where it was found that the more students wrote, the higher they scored on writing performance assessments and the more their multiple choice test scores improved. The focus on effective communication requires students think, reason and write clearly whose end result is better understanding of the curriculum.

At Hill, students are required to write an expository paragraph, essay or academic summary once a month in each of their classes. The teachers analyze the students' work using a writing rubric and then develop strategies for helping students improve areas of weakness. Additionally, students participate in three All-School Writes where the entire school follows a special testing schedule. Following the All-School Write, the teachers meet in the library to calibrate the scoring and then begin scoring their student papers using our rubric. Several weeks later, teachers meet again to analyze the papers for trends and writing skills that need to be retaught. Teachers develop a plan for addressing the writing skills that they will implement over the next six to eight weeks.

Visit our Writing Data page for more information.