Matthews Middle School

Address: 3500 Darrell Road, Island Lake

Phone: (847) 526-6210

District's name and Web site: Wauconda Community Unit School District 118, www.cusd118.lake.k12.il.us

Number of students/grade levels offered: 592 students in grades 6, 7 and 8

Number of staff: About 48

School mascot: Mustangs

When was school built: 2007

Interesting tidbit: The school is built on the Lyle Matthews family farm in Island Lake. The property is historical and has a lot of value in the community.

Principal: David Wilm

• The school just opened this year, but Wilm has been with the district for eight years.

• What is your favorite memory from Matthews Middle School?: "A couple things," Wilm said, noting he served on the plan and design committee for the school. "Then to have the opportunity to be the first principal … to go from the blueprints to the actual structure is very exciting," he said. Also, Wilm said the enthusiasm in the school has been energizing. "When you walk down the hall … we have staff and students who are wearing Matthews Middle School spirit wear," he said. "The kids are excited, the staff are excited."

• What do you think is an unique aspect of your school? Wilm names two specific areas, the first being the physical design of the school's fitness center. "Every time parents see that, their eyes light up," Wilm said. There are 33 pieces of cardio and strength training equipment. "I have never seen a middle school with this type of equipment. Wauconda Middle School has similar set up. It's very impressive," he said. Second, the school uses an academic "team" method. "It breaks down our student body of nearly 600 into teams of 140 to 150 students," he said. "It allows (teachers) to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of their students. That is something I'm very proud of."

• What are you most proud of? Wilm said the Matthews Middle School staff is made up of staff that taught at Wauconda Middle School, Wauconda High School and Wauconda Grade School, with a handful of new teachers. "What is unique is the way the teaching staff has really bonded," Wilm said, noting "the focus is really on student learning and achievement." He said teachers have connected with one another in a surprising way. "The collective energy of the staff has been so helpful … The uniqueness is how well the different staff have bonded," he said.

• If all school enrollments were determined by choice, what would you say to potential parents to convince them to choose Matthews Middle School for their children? "Because of the teaming that we use at Matthews Middle School, parents can feel confident in sending their child (to Matthews)," he said. "Their child is going to be known by their teachers, their strengths are going to be identified and we will work tirelessly to help students reach their full potential."

• How has technology changed the way students learn over the past five years? Has that been a good change? "I would say that it's a tool to help instruction support instruction. Students have the opportunity to go onto the internet and find information in a moment's notice," Wilm said, while also saying teachers need to inform kids about how to judge the quality of the information they're getting from the Internet. "(Teachers) need to make sure their students are critical thinkers. They have to teach discernment," he said.

• If you can get one thing accomplished between now and the end of May in your school, what would it be? "Academically, our staff has identified goals in reading, math, extended response and writing," Wilm said. "I want our students to show growth in each of those areas … As the first group of students ever to attend Matthews Middle School, I want them to know they set the bar high in academics and school spirit."