Highland Middle School

Welcome to the new and improved Highland Middle School! HMS is located on Main Street, in the center of the Hamlet of Highland, a charming rural community in upstate New York. Our building houses a total of 450 students in 6th, 7th and 8th grade.

Highland School opened its doors in 1938 as a K-12 building. Built as a WPA Project, our front lobby proudly displays a plaque, identifying Franklin Delano Roosevelt as President of the United States. As a matter of fact, one of our custodians relates a memory shared by his father, describing how all the Highland students would line the perimeter of our circular driveway, waving at President Roosevelt as he drove past on his way to Hyde Park! The sign that requests "Visitors go to the Main Office" is an original, as are the terrazzo marble floors and the teal colored, glazed ceramic wall tiles. It is a school rich in history.

In 1971, Highland School added the title of "Middle" as the new Elementary and High Schools were built. Highland Middle School has enjoyed a 6-8 configuration for the past 30 years, and has worked towards actualizing true middle school philosophy. Changes over the years in curricula, programs, scheduling and staffing have enabled HMS to provide a safe, caring, and challenging environment that addresses the differentiated needs of the middle level learner. Interdisciplinary teams "build connections" by integrating instruction, and creating learning contexts that are nurturing and exciting. School values emphasize respect, responsibility, compassion and cooperation. At the eighth grade level, students have the opportunity to earn high school credit by taking Studio Art and/or Course I Math.

During our Advisory period, students and teachers will discuss character issues through a program entitled Project Wisdom. Project Wisdom is a collection of thought-provoking messages that will be broadcast over the PA system every day. These messages will help us build our "character muscles", reminding us to be responsible, trustworthy, courteous, and caring human beings. They will encourage us to think about the choices we make and the consequences of those choices. This program will motivate us to be the best we can be, while we learn to tolerate (and even celebrate) what's different about others. The messages contain wisdom from cultures, races, and religions from around the globe - and individuals from all walks of life - showing us that everyone has something positive and constructive to contribute to the betterment of our world.

Extracurricular activities include (but are not limited to): modified athletic teams, Science Olympiad, School-to-Work, Band and Chorus, Peer Mediation, Ski Club, HMS Diversity Club, National Junior Honor Society, Student Council, SADD, Peer Leadership, HMS Newspaper and Magazine, Art Club and Mag-Lev Competitions.

While steeped in the past, HMS embraces the future with a total building "makeover," which is nearly complete. With state-of-the-art science labs and work areas, music amphitheater, Physical Education building, Library/Media Center, and a new Cafetorium, the students at Highland Middle School will learn in an environment that prepares them to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

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