As Midway Elementary students line up on the first day of school, there is excitement in the air --something beyond the typical first-day anticipation. It doesn’t take a visitor long to notice what is different: the children are dressed alike! This year, Midway joined the small contingent of public schools with uniforms.

It’s really more of a dress code than a strict uniform: navy or tan pants with navy or white tops. At Midway, they call it “dressing for success.” Last February, parents voted to establish a uniform policy by a 70% margin.

Principal Ben Gauyan says the uniforms have changed more than the way students dress. “The students have a new sense of purpose. They’re serious about learning and making progress. They are developing goals and beginning to see themselves as successful.”

The students file through the hallway of their spacious school, a facility that opened just two years ago and still has that “new” feeling. These children act like they are focused on learning. They are cooperative and eager to get started, and the halls are quiet and orderly.

The students separate into their respective classrooms, stash their backpacks, and find their way to their desks. But before they dive into learning, they join in the daily school-wide “success chant,” led over the intercom by Educational Assistant Karin Kovach:

I am a Midway student. I am safe. I am helpful. I am positive. I am respectful. I am responsible. I am college-bound. I am proud to be a Midway student!”

There are many reasons for these students to be proud. For starters, their WASL scores are up for the second year in a row. Reading scores have improved at every grade level with an average increase of 13 points. In math, the scores have jumped tremendously since 2005-06. Growth in math proficiency from fall to spring exceeds expectations when compared with peer schools across the nation. For example, last year Midway sixth graders experienced math achievement growth equivalent to an extra half year of school.

The story behind the numbers has many factors: a stable and committed staff, a federal Read First grant, after-school programs, a parent leadership program, and full-day kindergarten.

And last year, Midway’s sixth graders began AVID, a program that introduces college-readiness skills to students who might not otherwise be thinking about going to college. AVID teaches study habits and organizational skills, and helps student connect with professionals in the community to learn the educational requirements of various occupations.

Pacific Middle School, where Midway students go for seventh and eighth grade, recently interviewed students for entrance into its AVID classes. Pacific staff found that Midway students were “in a league of their own.”

“I never dreamed the impact on the student population would be that powerful that fast!” says Pacific teacher Schell Ross. “Midway students were amazingly well spoken about their learning: what they did well… what they needed to improve on. Not only that, they were already looking past sixth grade, [to] middle school and high school, and beyond.”

Midway has a diverse student body. Nearly half of Midway students are Latino. Forty-five percent of students are not proficient in English. Thanks to grant funding, Midway has had a Family Advocate/Academic Coach focused on providing extra support to Latino third and fifth graders. As a result, these students have improved in academics, attendance, and behavior.

Latino parents have also become more involved in the school as a result of a ten-week family academy that has helped parents learn how to navigate the school system. The academy also includes a college-readiness component for students ages 10 to 18.

Midway is a school in relentless pursuit of success for every student. Gauyan summed it up with, “Our staff has a clear picture of where we’re going, and they’re ready to fly!” says Gauyan.  “The great part is we don’t have to do it alone. Our classroom teachers, our custodian, office staff, cafeteria staff – we’re all here to work together for the good of our students.” Gauyan smiles. “I am so proud of the accomplishments of this team. We’re on a great trajectory of progress!”

(l-r) Princess Loto and Mirelis Veguilla settle in with independent reading	Ernestgreen Sigrah hard at work.
Office staff always ready to help - (seated is Office Assistant Pam Keller with Office Manager Janelle Hrisko standing).	Educational Assistant Karen Kovach leads the morning announcements - including the Success Chant.
Principal Ben Gauyan joins teacher Stacey Gehrke with her class.

Caption for top photo: Kristina Cazarez leads her class into their room for Kindergarten.