Mountain Gap Middle School
Advisory for the Win: Growing Student Leaders and a Positive School Culture
Huntsville City Schools
Principal: Mrs. Heather Bardwell
Superintendent: Dr. Clarence Sutton
Middle school students need connection and guidance, but busy families and technology have reduced daily, meaningful interactions. Recognizing this, Mountain Gap Middle School created an advisory program to teach communication, socialization, and leadership skills while building a positive school culture. Advisory day, held on Wednesday, started with spirited drop-off greetings that welcomed students and families. The program’s centerpiece was a grade-level Town Hall meeting that reinforced the school’s mission – Learn. Grow. Achieve. Ready for the future. During Town Hall meetings, there was a review of attendance and academic data, grade-specific performance (ACAP, iReady, report cards), and a discussion of behavioral expectations and trends. Town Halls concluded with student celebrations, including teacher-nominated challenge coins and student-nominated Golden Bucket awards for kindness. While one grade attended Town Hall, others engaged in advisory class activities beginning with a student-produced school news program that highlighted sports, special features, and Students of the Week. Students then participated in iLead, a John Maxwell student leadership curriculum that developed social-emotional skills through videos, readings, and peer-led discussions. The program emphasized respectful dialogue and much-needed soft skills. Mountain Gap also used a house system to sort its advisory classes. House-based advisory classes fostered immediate belonging/community. Mountain Gap Middle School’s advisory program continues to evolve based on annual feedback but remains focused on developing student leaders and nurturing a thriving school culture.
