Principal's Message

Dear J. E. Harrison Middle School Families,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! We are excited to open our doors and welcome your child back for what we know will be a fantastic year, filled with students unlocking their potential, teachers empowering them, and working together to inspire their futures.

This year, we will continue to focus on our school-wide motto: “Habits of Success.” The Journey of the Highlander Competencies (Adaptive Learners, Communication, Empathy, Creative and Critical Thinking, and Responsible Collaborators), will be woven throughout the middle school experience to help our students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Our goal is to help every student build the skills they need to thrive not just in school, but in life.

We’re also excited to share some important updates to our daily grade-level schedules, which are designed to better support teaching and learning across all content areas. This year, students in:

• 6th and 7th grade will have 57-minute core classes (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies)
• 8th grade will have 47-minute core classes, which will also include World Languages.
• Encore classes (Art, Music, PE, Technology, etc.) will be 42 minutes for all grades

These updates to our middle school schedule will enable us to tailor instruction more effectively while continuing to offer a well-rounded middle school experience.

Each student will also be assigned to a grade-level team, helping to create a sense of community and support. Teams will collaborate on classroom learning, activities, and communication with families. Additionally, students will be scheduled for homeroom, where they will participate in activities that promote social-emotional development, academic readiness, and the cultivation of the Habits of Success.

Connected to the Homeroom period, students will also be scheduled for an Intervention Period. This time is designed to support students in completing classwork, catching up on assignments, and receiving extra help from their teachers. Whether a student needs clarification on a lesson, assistance with a project, or simply a quiet space to focus, Intervention Time offers structured support to ensure every student can stay on track and thrive academically.

We are excited to take full advantage of our newly remodeled school, which includes our Innovation Lab, designed for students to collaboratively and creatively complete engaging projects and activities that promote critical thinking and problem-solving. Beyond the classroom, we have a number of exciting events planned throughout the year to create lasting memories and build school spirit.

We are truly looking forward to partnering with you throughout the year to ensure your child has a positive, engaging, and successful middle school experience. If you have any questions or need support as we begin the year, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s team or the main office.

Let’s make it a great year together!

HMS Administration