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School-Parent Family Compact

Southwest Middle School

Grades 6th–8th

2025 - 2026

Revision Date: 09/09/2025

Southwest Middle School students participating in the Title I, Part A program, and their families, agree that this compact outlines how the parents, the entire school staff, and the students will share the responsibility for improved student academic achievement as well as describes how the school and parents/families will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve the State’s high standards.

What is a Family/Parent-School Compact

The Family/Parent-School Compact is a written agreement among teachers, students, and parents. It is a document that clarifies what families and schools can do to help children reach high academic standards. Every school receiving Title I funds must develop a compact. The compact serves as a clear reminder of everybody's responsibility to take action at school and at home so that children can learn what is required of them. It is a written commitment indicating how all members of a school community- parents, teachers, principals, students, and concerned community members- agree to share responsibility for student learning.

Jointly Developed

The parents, students, and staff of Southwest Middle School worked together and shared ideas to develop the Family/Parent-School compact. Teachers met on grade-level teams to design practical strategies for parents to use at home. Parents provided valuable feedback about their needs to help their students. Students completed feedback forms to add ideas to the compact. A Family Forum is held each year to review and revise the compact based on the school's academic achievement goals and students' needs. An Annual Survey is completed each year and feedback is collected at parent meetings. Parents are welcomed to provide feedback on the compact at any time during the school year.

To understand how working together can benefit your child, it is first important to understand the district's and school’s goals for student academic achievement.

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System's Goals:

Strategic Priority

STUDENTS: Student Growth and Achievement for Choice-Filled Futures

Objective B: Advance proficiency in literacy and numeracy through high quality instruction and support for diverse learners

Objective C: Enhance learning opportunities to develop the critical thinking and interpersonal skills needed for workforce development and college readiness

Objective D: Provide high quality support and services for whole child development

School-Wide Goals by May 2026:

Goal 1: Increase the number of scholars receiving a score status of grade level or above based on their at or above Lexile score for the grade-level stretch band by 3% in May 2026.

Goal 2: 75% of students will demonstrate typical RIT score growth of 3-5 points in math as measured by the NWEA MAP assessment from August 2025 to May 2026

School/Teacher Responsibilities

To help your child meet the district and school goals, the school, you, and your child will work together to:

Teachers will:

Mathematics:

  • Conduct research-based strategies in the classroom to strengthen skills, for example, using the read-draw-write strategy, modeling, exploration, flash cards, and/or graphic organizers
  • Use MAP and Progress Learning for additional support for students in the areas of Algebra and Geometry
  • Provide opportunities for students to solve real-life mathematical problems involving ratios, proportions, area, volume, probability, and geometric constructions.

ELA/Reading

  • Provide additional Reading Benchmark materials during Instructional Focus and opportunities to read in a variety of genres. Ensure students have reading materials/resources to take home.
  • Provide students with the opportunity to work on MAP during Saturday school or After School Enrichment

Parent/Family Responsibilities

Parents will:

Mathematics

  • Review our child's notes, flashcards and/or graphic organizers daily and have them explain the concepts learned
  • Allow access to MAP and Progress Learning for at least two hours per week in the areas of Algebra and Geometry
  • Use provided formulas and examples to review students' work related to the real-world application problems

ELA/Reading

  • Encourage our child(ren) to read at least 30-45 minutes per day.

  • Provide opportunities for students to use MAP at home for at least 2 hours per week or allow their child to attend Saturday school or After School enrichment to work on these programs.

Student Responsibilities

Students will:

Mathematics

  • Use note-taking strategies, flashcards and graphic organizers at home to support problem solving.

  • Use Khan Academy and MAP at home or during Saturday School for additional support in areas of Algebra and Geometry

  • Be able to explain, analyze, solve and provide written response for real-world math problems involving ratios, proportions, area, volume, probability, and geometric constructions.

ELA/Reading

  • Read for at least 30-45 minutes each day using provided reading materials.
  • Use MAP as a supplemental online resource for at least two hours per week at home or during Saturday school or After School Enrichment

Communication About Student Learning:

The staff at Southwest Middle School is committed to frequent communication with families about their child's learning. Some of the ways you can expect this communication to occur are through: 

  • Monthly Newsletters
  • Updates to the school’s website
  • Bi-Weekly/District Wide Progress Reports
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences

Activities to Build Partnerships

Southwest Middle School offers ongoing events and programs to build partnerships with families.

  • Fall Open House
  • School Website
  • Title I Meetings (Annual, Budget, Parent Informational Workshops)
  • Awards Programs
  • Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Vista Volunteer Program