The Marlboro School is a small public school in Marlboro, Vermont. Marlboro is a member of the Coalition of Essential Schools
Marlboro has an enrollment of 79 students. It is one of six k-8 schools in Vermont with an enrollment of less than 80. Classrooms are all multi-aged, except for kindergarten. The school district does not run a high school and instead pays a certain amount of tuition for town students to attend out-of-town high schools, public or private. Most Marlboro students go on to attend Brattleboro Union High School, the only high school to which transportation is provided, as of early 2008. Starting in the junior-high years, students start thinking about which high school they want to attend, and guidance counselors and principals from nearby high schools come to Marlboro to talk with them and their parents. School visitations are arranged and information on private schools is also made available.
Assessment controversy and alternative assessment planning
Standardized testing controversy
Parents and officials at the school, with the support of the school board, have challenged the state over standardized tests. In about 2005, the school decided not to administer the tests as required by the federal education law. After a visit from the state education commissioner, who threatened to revoke the licenses of the principal and superintendent, the school relented. But in early 2007, only 92 percent of eligible children at the school took the tests when many parents withheld their children from school during the testing. The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires schools to have at least 95 percent attendance when the tests are taken, so Marlboro was put on the state's list of schools that did not make adequate yearly progress. The school district has a policy allowing parents to refuse to have their children take the standardized tests.
Marlboro Realms of Learning and portfolios
In developing a school assessment plan, school officials identified "Realms of Learning" to "guide our instruction, focus student learning, and provide the broad palette used to assess how students are progressing", according to the school Web site. The areas identified as of early 2008: Communication Problem Solving Personal Development Civic and Social Responsibility Knowledge (knowledge and understanding, application of knowledge, making connections)
Portfolios of student work are kept as part of the school assessment plan. Students help select the portfolio pieces, and older students organize their portfolios by "learning realm". The portfolios are used to share student work with parents during conferences. Eighth grade students must present a completed portfolio to a panel consisting of their teachers, the principal, and another teacher as part of the school's graduation requirements.
Academics and other learning
Library
The Marlboro School Library offers a wide selection that varies from research material to picture books to leisurely young adult reading. Every week, each classroom has a class with the librarian where they learn more about computers and internet, or listen to books. The library has a computer lab where students go to do research or type their homework. Each classroom also has a selection of computers that offer the same applications.
Performance
Marlboro students put on several regular shows each year. The Holiday concert, a show that’s been around for generations, includes singing, sword dancing, morris dancing, and plays put on by the different grades, K-8. Another performance that has been around for a while is the Poetry Reading or "Paper Feelings". Each student in the school writes a poem; all are put into a book and read aloud. The Art Show includes all of the work that students have made with the art teacher over the year as well as singing, guitar performances, and a performance by the school’s musical band. We also show or perform what we did over Winter Workshops. One of the most common performances is the Cabaret. The Junior High puts on a series of different skits at Marlboro College's Whittimore Theater.
Specials
Marlboro School’s Specials include Art, Music, and Gym. In Art class we paint, print with paint, make collages, do self-portraits, sculpt, draw/sketch, and make books. In Music we sing songs, learn different dances and play guitar and other instruments. In Gym we enjoy ourselves by playing soccer, basketball, dodge ball, kick ball, hockey, and other games.