United South Central Middle School
United South Central School District #2134 serves the rural communities of Bricelyn, Easton, Kiester, Freeborn, Walters and Well in south central Minnesota. While the elementary and high school students are served in adjoining buildings and share facilities the middle school is unique as these children enjoy a world unto themselves. The middle school has approximately 300 students enrolled.
The grades of fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade attend this two-story school with auditorium, cafeteria, computer labs, library, music room and more. The school is handicap-accessible and features an elevator in the main building offering access to the second floor.
New goals are introduced to the middle school children each week, always pertinent to the age group. One recent topic addressed was how to cope with and confront bullying. Children also have a safe place to discuss topics in their “primetime” where they are grouped together with the same peers of different ages for the rest of the year.
Seasonal band and choir concerts are performed with local residents, family members and friends well in attendance.
Children also perform in an annual musical that is made possible by a grant and a volunteer acting troupe which comes to direct, stage and costume the kids in their production. Other lyceums and experiences are also enjoyed, one in particular being the sixth grade several-day trip exploring Minnesota. Sites visited on this trip are locks and dams on the Mississippi, a visit to a lighthouse on Lake Superior and much more. Teachers and parent-volunteers accompany kids on these trips which produce life-long memories for all who attend.
The staff is eager and enthralling – they often say it’s their students who keep them young and full of energy. And it appears to be true!
Students are also held accountable to workloads and academic responsibilities by keeping a log, or journal, where notes are written for each class period noting work due or upcoming tests. The behavior of students is also held accountable by a system where “steps” are counted (or earned) for each misbehavior. This also helps in communication between parents and the school and it seems the journal is an indispensable tool. The school district also has become computer-friendly for parents and guardians with much information available on the school’s webpage. Sports, events, cafeteria menus and much of your student’s grades can be found via internet at the official website of United South Central, School District #2134 at www.usc.k12.mn.us .
Keeping the kids in a school comprised of wholly their own youth group, also in the opinion of many, helps them to develop emotionally and mentally during the rocky years coming into teenage-hood. Emotions can run high and change envelops kids at this age. They are just coming into their own, getting to know their own minds and learning to test their own boundaries as they advance into pre-adulthood. This environment allows the kids to advance without the larger challenges that loom ahead of them in their high school years.
As a whole, the United South Central Middle School provides a safe, welcoming and age-appropriate environment for kids who are not quite kids anymore, yet, not yet young adults.
A copy of the Middle School Handbook can be found at http://216.114.232.228/ms/ms-handbk.html .
For more information on statistics, you may go to School Tree at www.schooltree.org. Click “Minnesota” state and then select Faribault County, and last “United South Central” under the town of Kiester.
