Cluster System
Our cluster model embodies a true team approach, utilizing core values of cooperation, communication and trust for the benefit of all our diverse scholars.
How is it organized?
Each grade is divided into 3 clusters, North, South and East. For example, a class size of 225 scholars is divided into 3 clusters, with 2-3 homerooms per cluster. Homerooms are identified by colleges or universities in the US. scholars usually stay in their assigned cluster throughout their time at Collins.
From the time we welcome our incoming sixth graders to their new middle school experience through the time we celebrate our eighth graders as they move on to high school, the cluster structure allows us to provide a supportive culture of academic progress and excellence for our diverse scholar body.
Benefits
Physical Resources
While part of a larger school community, clusters provide many of the benefits of a small school experience! Core academic classes are held in the same area of the building, helping with transitions between classes. While numerous, rich opportunities shared among teams are available in other parts of the building such as band, chorus, STEM, PE and TV studio.
Academic, Social and Emotional
Teachers provide differentiated learning opportunities to heterogeneous classes, emphasizing critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. Teachers with specific expertise such as a reading specialist, special educator are thoughtfully placed where they can best meet our scholars’ needs. Teams meet regularly working together to share best practices, develop community, address concerns about individual scholars and establish consistent routines. Counselors and school leaders have the opportunity to develop long term relationships with scholars throughout their whole middle school years and can communicate successes to the team.
Extended Learning Times
Collins Middle School is a 6-8th grade Extended Learning Time (ELT) school with a full school day of 7:30 am – 3:30 pm. The extended schedule provides our scholars with more opportunities to explore core content subjects along with STEM, World Language, Interventions, Electives, Enrichment, and Social Emotional Learning. Partnered with Project Lead the Way, Collins School was able to have 100% of our scholar participate in STEM courses and recognized as one of the “Distinguished Schools” in Massachusetts.