Cherokee Middle School

Address:	4301 Cherokee Drive, Madison, WI 53711
Telephone:	(608) 204-1240
Fax:	(608) 204-0378
Principal:	Karen Seno
Cherokee Middle School Web Site
Handbook \| en español
Online Staff Directory
Attendance Area Map \| HS attendance area: West
School Data Profile
School Supply List

Parent/Teacher Group President:

Susan Pschorr, co-president, 273-2352; spschorr@charter.net, and Linda Welch, co-president, 276-8044; lwelch1030@gmail.com

Parent Contact:

Susan Pschorr, co-president, 273-2352; spschorr@charter.net, and Linda Welch, co-president, 276-8044; lwelch1030@gmail.com

Students — Click Here!

Cherokee Heights Middle School is a dynamic learning community dedicated to providing all students with a strong curriculum, leadership, and support. Students are expected to use problem solving skills, respect diversity, develop self-confidence, and make a positive contribution to the school evironment. We work toward the following goals:

All students will be prepared to successfully complete academically challenging courses at the next level.
All students will use social skills that demonstrate responsibility to self, to others, and to the community.
All students will fully participate in classroom practices that recognize and incorporate student diversity.
All families in the Cherokee community will be an integral part of the educational process.

Site Characteristics

Location

Cherokee is located on 13 picturesque acres in the Nakoma neighborhood. It is near the Arboretum, Vilas Park, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Cherokee population is comprised of students from nine west area neighborhoods.

Class Size

There are eight sections in 6th grade, with classes averaging students. There are seven sections of 7th grade and nine sections of eighth grade, with classes averaging 22 and 25 students, respectively. The projected student enrollment is 547.

Neighborhood Bus Service

Metro fixed Routes 18 and 59 serve Cherokee from stops along Midvale Boulevard. Route 19 stops on Nakoma Road at Whenona Drive or Waban Hill. Supplemental service routes 118 and 147 provide additional connections before and after school from Cherokee attendance areas.

Hot Lunch Program

Students have the option of an a la carte or prepacked hot lunch menu. Monthly options include pizza, tacos, subs, and salads.

Academic Programming

Achievement Scores

On recent standardized tests, 43% of Cherokee students scored in the top 25th percentile nationally for reading and 40% scored in the top 25th percentile nationally for math. Some 97% of parents report that academic excellence is important at Cherokee.

Core Academic Subjects

Cherokee Core academic subjects include social studies, mathematics, science, language arts, reading, and world language (French and Spanish). Algebra and geometry also are offered.

Technology

Instructional technology education is required at all grade levels. Cherokee operates two multimedia technology labs, each containing 30 individual computer work stations. The Library Media Center has 22 computers for use as a research facility and homework center. All classrooms have at least one computer.

Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program

The goal of Talented and Gifted (TAG) programming is to ensure that students consistently have learning opportunities that are challenging, systematic, and based on skills, readiness, and interest.

Learning experiences include a broad range of opportunities that pushes students to their next level of challenge and allows them to develop their talents. TAG programming may occur in the classroom, or in other settings. TAG programming is determined by ongoing evaluation and assessment of individual student needs.

Other Programs

The Unified Arts program includes physical education, art, drama, wellness, and music (choir, band, general music, and orchestra classes taught from a performance-based curriculum). A full range of special education, English as a Second Language, and bilingual (Spanish) services are available.

School Climate

Safety Is Always A Priority

Some 94% of students responding to a recent climate survey described Cherokee as a safe school. A progressive discipline plan is coordinated with the help of involved staff. Student safety is a priority of the School Improvement Plan. Cherokee has established itself as a harassment-free school. A comprehensive and statistically proven harassment/conflict resolution program includes all-school training sessions annually and an integrated curriculum in all grades on harassment, mediation, and prevention.

Special Programs

More than 30 extracurricular options are available to students during and after school. More than 95% of students participate in these activities. Student Council is available to all students. Dances, community service activities, fund raisers, spirit week, faculty/student basketball games, and building improvement projects are a few of the highlights.

Partnerships

Family Partnerships

All parents recently surveyed reported that teachers treated them with respect and valued their role in the school, and 99% reported that Cherokee was a good place to learn. The Cherokee PTO is a supportive and involved group that supports and enhances the educational process. Meetings are held monthly on Wednesday evenings.

Community Partnerships

The Cherokee Homework Center and reading buddy program are staffed by community volunteers. UW-Madison and Edgewood College place many student volunteers at Cherokee as part of service projects.

Cherokee is a partner with the UW-Madison in the national network of Professional Development Schools. This partnership prepares future teachers and demonstrates Cherokee's desire to improve the quality of education for children.

You Are Always Welcome at Cherokee Middle School!

Each year at Cherokee promises to be one of excitement and learning. We are committed to each student's personal and intellectual growth. As partners in the Cherokee community, we ask our students to demonstrate responsibility and self discipline, and our families to be active in creating a school culture of respect and support for the personal achievement of all students.

School tours of the building are open to all. We encourage anyone interested to meet with staff or take a tour with a student ambassador.
We encourage you to talk with parents of our students to learn more about our school. Please see the information on this web site for current names and phone numbers.

For answers to any question or to request written materials such as curriculum guides, handbooks, lunch menus, bus schedules, newsletters, etc., call the office at 204-1240.

Quotes

"I chose to send my child to Cherokee from another district. I had heard so many good things about the staff and I haven't been disappointed."
-- Cherokee Parent

"I worked really hard at Cherokee. It paid off because it really prepared me to go on to West High School and do well there too."
-- Cherokee Graduate

"The teachers really care about you at Cherokee. I always know where to go for help."
-- Cherokee 7th Grader

"Every morning, I feel good about dropping off my children at Cherokee. I know that they are getting an excellent education and that they are safe."
-- Cherokee Parent

"Cherokee is a lot of fun. Just this year, I went horseback riding and skiing after school. Spirit Week was great and we whipped the teachers at basketball."
-- Cherokee 6th Grader

Remember, you're "At Home At Cherokee Middle School!"