Scenically located four miles east of Boyertown on Route 73 in Gilbertsville, Boyertown Junior High School East Center has 840 students enrolled in grades 7, 8, and 9. Our school is focused on meeting the needs of our students by providing relevant experiences through which they can learn and grow. Parents/guardians and other community members are encouraged to participate with us in our educational and co-curricular programs.

Parent/guardian involvement is critical to the success of junior high students. All parents/guardians are invited to a series of informal discussions with the principal. These will be held on the following Thursday mornings: October 13, December 8, February 23 and April 26 beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the library. Any time that questions arise, we encourage parents/guardians to call the main office at (610) 754-9550.

Seventh and eighth students are grouped into interdisciplinary instructional teams. Each team is comprised of four or five academic area teachers – language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. The team of teachers meets twice each cycle with our school counselors to discuss their students and how they can best meet each student’s needs. Parents/guardians are encouraged to schedule a visit to a team meeting to help bridge the gap between home and school.

Students are provided a strong, academically-oriented educational program. Our program starts with a more structured seventh grade offering and gradually increases the number of elective choices that students make as they reach ninth grade. A continuing focus is the alignment of curriculum, instructional and assessment with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards. Our scores in state PSSA testing continue to be excellent.

Our staff has developed a system of extensive support services for our students. Instructional aides are available to assist students in study halls. During our flex period, we have developed a plethora of remedial opportunities. Students can get help from either a teacher from their team or a subject area teacher.

Four computer labs are connected to the Internet and instruction in the appropriate use of the Internet is included in the seventh grade curriculum.

Junior High East provides students an excellent educational opportunity. Our faculty knows the importance of providing a positive learning environment. Students are always encouraged to achieve to their fullest potential. The staff sets the example for students by continually updating their knowledge through professional development workshops and graduate courses to keep themselves well informed on all the new issues in education. Students are urged to get involved in student activities, choosing from a broad selection of clubs, athletic teams, music groups, student government and student publications. We try to combine the academic and co-curricular programs to help develop a well-rounded student.

The staff works with students, parents/guardians, and local police officers to provide a safe school environment. Respect for all is emphasized and modeled. A corps of ninth grade students serves as mentors for our seventh grade students through the Bear Ambassador program. Our Student Assistance Team works with the parents/guardians of students who are at risk for depression or drug/alcohol involvement. Eighth grade students are instructed about avoiding drug/alcohol use. Those skills are reinforced with seventh grade and ninth grade students through Project ALERT lessons in physical education classes. Our AOK program allows staff members to recognize and reward students for an Act of Kindness. We have earned our sixth consecutive No Place for Hate designation through the Anti-Defamation League this past school year. We look forward to continuing this program again this year.

Please refer to our “Calendar” tab for important dates for the 2011-2012 school year.