Welcome to West Side Middle School, and the 2012-2013 school year! 

This year, West Side will experience incredible changes; not only to the building , but also in staff and student body. Groton went from three middle schools to two. Fitch Middle School, a long time respected and revered school in Groton was closed. West Side and Cutler Middle School have remained and have accepted, with open arms, students, staff and families to our respective school communities. Increasing the West Side population from 250 to 520 students and 35 additional staff, we have been fortunate to be able to accommodate the additional numbers without major renovations. This is not to say that over the summer, some renovations had to take place. Creating new rooms out of extra large spaces and eliminating non teaching areas to create teaching space had to occur. Two portable classrooms will also be added to help with expansion. I am happy to report that with all of the changes which have occurred, the transition went very well.

West Side continues to be a school that strives to improve student achievement through data collection, assessment and understanding. We continue to believe that educating the "Whole Child" is the key to academic and social success and achievement.

Our staff is dedicated to learning individual learning styles and working with students and parents to help students reach their highest potential.

The staff and I truly believe that state testing alone does not indicate or prove that our students are being educated. We believe that the state testing is one benchmark of many that we use to determine student achievement. District and classroom assessments, along with the staffs personal interaction with students, work hand in hand to give teachers the data that they need to adjust instruction in order to improve student learning.

West Side is also a school which prides itself on being involved in the community. Throughout the year we are involved in activities which are designed to involve the community with school events or activities.  I hope to see you at the many events hosted by our school.