Welcome to CMS!
Whether you are a parent, student, community member or someone considering relocating to West Michigan, let me take this opportunity to say “Welcome” to our school. Central Middle School is a special place with much to offer – it is a place where students learn and develop to reach their individual potential. It is a place where students are cared for and prepared to do great things in high school and beyond.
Central Middle School houses on average 650 seventh and eighth grade students. Our teaching faculty of almost 40 highly qualified and certified teachers, plus two full time counselors, a district media specialist, a social worker, two full time administrators and over 15 support staff dedicate themselves to student learning and growth. As a result, Central Middle School is consistently ranked as one of top middle schools in the state of Michigan by any measure. Our test scores, teacher to student ratio, academic competitions and participation in extracurricular activities are unparalleled.
We value the communication we have with our school parents and community. This Web site contains a variety of information about our school of interest to you and your child attending Central Middle School. Please contact us if you have specific questions or comments and will be be happy to help you.
History of Central Middle School
Historical Information:
- In March 1963 voters in the Forest Hills Community supported a $1.6 million dollar bond to support the building of a new, 600 student capacity, junior high school on the high school property.
- Central Middle School opened on January 30, 1966
- For the fourth consecutive year, Central Middle School has earned an Energy Star honor. Forest Hills is ranked in the top 20 percent of schools nationwide that have reduced their energy consumption. We have reduced energy cost by 25% since 2006!
Central Middle is a 2017 Green School! Thanks to the systems our staff and students have put in place and the efforts of four CMS students who wrote the application report, Central won it’s Green School status.
Points of Pride
- CMS offers a wide range of elective subjects matching student interest. French, Spanish, ceramics and sculpture, aerodynamics, technology, and drama are just a few exploratory classes students may choose at CMS.
- CMS staff is committed to the principle of inclusiveness. Wide ranges of programs are offered to integrate students with disabilities into general education classrooms for all or part of the day.
- Students published a fine arts magazine that includes writing and drawing with the help of parent volunteers. It is scheduled for publishing during mid-May and will be on sale at CMS.
- The counselors and school social worker offered many programs that included: classroom guidance, small group discussions, support groups, new student groups, and individual and group counseling sessions.
- Many band students participated in Solo & Ensemble Festival and received first and second division ratings.
- The 7th grade band & choir were chosen to perform at a Grand Rapids Griffins game.
- The 8th grade band & choir were chosen to perform at a Grand Rapids Rampage game.
- The 8th grade choir sang the National Anthem at a White Caps game.
- Students displayed their theatrical talents while performing a play and variety show that received rave reviews from students, parents, and staff.
- CMS counselors offer tutoring help after school along with the small groups they have dealing with developmental issues. Counselors also instruct career courses.
- Our guidance counselors and administrators visited classrooms regarding bullying and harassment.
- Our counselors started a Friendship Group for both 7th and 8th graders.
- Our guidance counselors presented career exploration units using the Career Cruising program.
- We ran a Changing Families Group for students whose families are going through a divorce and/or remarriage.
- Each month, students were honored for their outstanding citizenship through our “Student of the Month” program and treated to snacks with their parents and administrative staff.
- CMS competed in Lego League and participated in the regional tournament.
- A large portion of our 7th and 8th graders achieved honor roll status in both years of their tenure at CMS.
- I-Plans used for staff development increased staff knowledge in several different areas, targeting our SMART goals.
- Once again, the CMS students took part in our annual magazine sale fundraiser that raised much needed funds for student activities and equipment that directly benefits our students and school.
- CMS had several students compete in our annual Spelling Bee, Science Olympiad, and Geography Bee.
- Our Odyssey of the Mind Teams did excellent again this year.
- We have an active Student Council at CMS. Some of the projects they worked on this year include: Operation Santa Claus, raising $1000 for Children’s Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and sponsoring two school dances.
- Both orchestra groups earned first division ratings at MSBOA District 10 Orchestra Festival in February. The CMS 7th grade orchestra earned straight first division ratings.
- CMS orchestra students took part in MSBOA District 10 Solo & Ensemble Festival.
- Several orchestra students participated in elite, audition-only music groups, sponsored by St. Cecelia Music Society, and the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony.
- Many CMS orchestra students auditioned for and have been granted thousands of dollars in scholarships to attend Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp this summer.
- The 33rd Annual Spring String Fling in April 2017 was a huge success as over 270 orchestra players from CW, CMS, and CHS performed as ensembles and as one large ensemble. This concert is a favorite among parents and students alike.
- Seventh grade orchestra players participated in the 9th Annual Seventh Grade Extravaganza. This event combined 7th grade orchestra players from NHMS, EMS, and CMS for a clinic and concert experience.
- MEAP scores for CMS were math 99% (7th grade), math 98% (8th grade), ELA 95% (7th grade), ELA 96% (8th grade), SCI 96% (8th grade).
- CMS competed in the State competition for the Michigan Math League at the 7th grade level.
