Our History
CMS is uniquely a four-year-old facility with a nearly one hundred year history. Previously located at 809 C Avenue, the original building offers a history that developed in concert with the growth and values of Southwest Oklahoma and the city of Lawton. Recognition of Central’s contributions to the area garnered its placement in the National Register of Historic Places as of February 1997.
Despite the uniqueness of attending classes in an historic institution, general conditions due to the building’s age were a concern to patrons, building personnel and Board of Education members. In response to this concern, Lawton voters approved a 1999 bond issue to allow construction of a new site.
Attendance Area
CMS provides services for students who reside in Ft. Sill family housing or in the community areas bordered on the north by Rogers Lane, the east by Highway 281, the south by Bishop Road and the west by a meandering line extending from 11th Street and 15th Street to Sheridan Road.
Current Information
- Student Count: 6th (286 students), 7th (298 students), 8th (274 students)
- Grades Taught: 6th, 7th, 8th
- Faculty Count: Certified (69 teachers), Classified (29 employees)
Transportation
Bus services are provided for 60% of the total enrollment. This number has a definite impact on the potentiality of developing extensive extracurricular programs. Coaches and club sponsors not only plan activities, practice sessions and game strategies, but also give consideration to arranging ways home for students who families often do not have access to personal transportation. City support is given through the offering of reduced student rates for youngsters who choose to rid the LATS buses.
Population
CMS is a diverse community with nearly 60% minority. The largest minority is African American followed in order by Hispanic, Native American and Asian. It is also on the lower end of the socio-economic scale. Approximately 70% of the students receive free and reduced lunches.
Slightly over 35% of CMS students are from military families. This factor leads to an annual turn over rate of 30-35%.
Approximately 18% of the enrollment meets the criteria for special needs programs, and they are provided services in a variety of venues.
Another 15% are identified as gifted and talented.
Instructional Characteristics
Our goal is the development and enhancement of knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to participate effectively in a technologically orientated society of free choice. In order to meet this goal, we offer over 427 sections of 97 courses.
Our daily schedule is arranged to enhance learning by aiding students in developing organizational skills and in completing homework. Seven instructional periods of approximately 47 minutes each, are followed by a 20 minute 8th hour study period, held Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
Instructional support services are provided by five computer laboratories. One lab is designated for teaching computer skills four hours daily. A second lab is connected to the internet and is available before and after school as well as during all instructional periods. A third lab is utilized for word processing and educational software focusing on teaching specific objectives in math, social studies, writing, reading, and science. A fourth lab, I Can Learn (ICL), is utilized for self-paced math curriculum instruction. A mobile lab is available for research-based core curriculum instruction.
The CMS Library is at the very heart of Central Middle School. Located right off the Cougar Plaza, students enjoy the vast selection of books and magazines that are available for checkout. With over 15,000 current, interesting and award winning titles to choose from, students utilize our services on a daily basis. Monthly circulation of books continues to grow but at present, we average over 2500 books checked out per month.
The CMS Library is also the home for two book clubs: The Anime Book Club and the Book Divas. Special annual events include: Teen Read in October, The Scholastic Book Fair in December, Flurries of New Books in January, and a Poetry Contest in April in celebration of National Poetry Month and National Library week. Come in often as you will see creative art on display and various other reading promotions!
Twenty five student computers are also available for doing library catalog searches, internet research, and word processing. The LPS Media Center provides a filtering device so that only appropriate websites may be accessed and viewed on all computers. Teachers and Parents also utilize the professional section which is housed in the Reference Section.
A Student Store is also available for the convenience and fair pricing of school supplies.
Clubs
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Academic Team Sponsors: Kim Batten and Alice Castleberry Anime Book Club Sponsors: Amy Watkins Art Club Sponsors: Stella Burton Book Divas Sponsors: Amy Watkins Cheerleading Sponsors: Tiffani Veals Chess Club Sponsors: Dwight McKillip and Barbara Endsley Compter Tech Club Sponsors: Trina Menzie and Bob Hughes Crimestoppers Sponsors: Dwight McKillip and Barbara Endsley FCA Sponsors: Jay Payne The Leadership Team Sponsors: Amy Watkins Math Counts Sponsors: Tiffani Veal Military Student Club Sponsors: Sue Kinne and Nakia Swedenburg NJHS Sponsors: Tanya Crawford and Joey Neighbors Science Club Sponsors: Kim Batten Scrapbooking Club Sponsors: Stephanie Lopez SIM Dance Team Sponsors: Roni Smith and Gracie Anderson Spirit Team Sponsors: Jennifer Williams |