Adams Middle School, home of the Adams’ Eagles, is located in North Redondo Beach at 2600 Ripley Ave. in the Redondo Beach Unified School District. It is one of two middle schools in the district. The administrative team includes the principal and two full time assistant principals. Thirty-nine classroom teachers, a school psychologist, and two counselors make up the certificated staff. Additionally, twelve instructional aides and seven office, library, and custodial staff help Adams run effectively. 

The school’s ethnically diverse population of 827 students makes it one of the most unique schools in the district. Thirty-nine percent of the student population is Caucasian, 35% is Hispanic, 12% is Asian, 11% is African American and 4% other. The student population is made up of 420 males and 407 females. There are 225 students in 6th grade, 284 in 7th, and 318 in 8th grade. Eleven percent of our students receive special education services and 10% are English Language Learners. 

The school participates in a block schedule, mirroring that of Redondo Union High School, in order to maximize instructional time and prepare students for their future transition to the high school. To meet the needs of the student population, Adams offers a wide variety of programs and services.  

Adams is a Title 1 targeted school with federal money given to target economically disadvantaged and underperforming students. This money funds a variety of academic programs to assist students. Through Title 1 funding, Adams Middle School offers a Reading Development class to support struggling readers, a Math Development class for students who struggle with basic math concepts, and Learning Academy classes to help 6th – 8th grade students with organization skills and homework completion. Title 1 funding also supports a Homework Club Program, where teachers from each grade level assist and tutor students with homework and class projects. Homework Club is held for one hour after school Monday through Thursday. 

Adams Middle School is committed to the needs of the “whole child.” This means focusing on not only the students who are struggling but also the students who are performing at grade level as well as Gifted students. Adams Middle School believes that all students should be given opportunities to excel in the middle school setting. Due to this belief, Adams has created exploratory programs to assist all students in their academic development. AVID (Achievement Via Individual Determination) teaches both seventh and eighth grade students self-advocacy, note-taking, and reasoning skills in order to increase their future chances of attending a four-year university. Seventh and eighth grade students identified as GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) can be placed in honors classes in both social studies and language arts and are offered higher levels of math classes, up to Geometry. Additionally, a GATE elective is offered to sixth grade GATE students, which includes a focus on leadership development, self-identification, decision-making, and personal vision. Seventh and eighth grade students have a variety of elective opportunities including Fitness Academy, Technology/Computer Education, Web Design, Instrumental Band (beginning, intermediate, advanced, jazz), Visual Art, Drama, Spanish, and a foreign language wheel (Spanish, German, French, and Japanese). English Language Learners at levels 1 through 3 take English Language Development classes using the High Point Program to increase English Language Development. EL students at levels 4 and 5 are clustered in classes with CLAD certified teachers who use SDAIE strategies with the core curriculum and the help of an EL aide to support the more advanced EL students.    

The Adams counseling staff consists of two counselors. One counselor focuses on the social and emotional issues that confront adolescents (e.g. anxiety, peer and family pressure, and self awareness and self image). The other counselor is an academic counselor focusing on AB 1802 guidelines for academic achievement, and high school and college preparation.    

Adams’ student council, with the sponsorship of a certificated teacher, plans and hosts monthly spirit assemblies. Students are honored at these assemblies for academic achievement, improvement and perfect attendance. The PTSA sponsors “Eagle Buck” raffles based on students’ good behavior and doing good deeds. Student council oversees and supports a variety of school clubs that are sponsored by teachers, such as Cooking, Chess, Democratic, and Volunteer Corps. Students attend club meetings during lunch once a week. Student council also plans and runs Spirit Days throughout the year, including Red Ribbon Week, and hosts a variety of school activities and dances.    

There are three locations on campus that give large numbers of students access to computers. The library houses 30 computers with internet access. Both the Title 1 lab and the Eagle Computer lab have computers to accommodate full classes, including teacher computers and projection capabilities. The computer teacher uses the Eagle Computer lab to help students learn the basics of computing, internet usage, web design and graphic design. All teachers have a laptop and desktop with internet capabilities.    

Adams takes many opportunities to award students for their achievement academically, athletically, and socially. In the spring, the school partners with PTSA to honor students who have maintained a 3.5 GPA at an Academic Awards Night. Teachers select one student from each of their classes whom they honor at an Awards Night. Positive attendance awards are given at the end of the year and positive attendance parties are held each semester.