Punta Gorda Middle School

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Punta Gorda Middle School
Address
825 Carmalita Street
Punta Gorda, FL, 33950
United States of America
Information
Principal Cathy Corsaletti
Enrollment

1,039 (as of 2005-06)[1]

Faculty 52.0 (on FTE basis)[1]
Student:teacher ratio 20.0[1]
Type Public
Grades 6-8
Mascot Eagles
School color(s) Red and Blue          
Founded 1971
Homepage

Punta Gorda Middle School (PGMS) is a middle school in Punta Gorda, Florida operated by the Charlotte County Public Schools board. The majority of its students graduate to either Port Charlotte High School or Charlotte High School.

As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,039 students and 52.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student-teacher ratio of 20.0.[1]

Contents

[edit] History

Punta Gorda Middle School was built in 1971 with an initial enrolment of less than 500 students in grades 7 to 9. As of 2006, PGMS had an enrolment of 1046 for students in grades 6 to 8. When Donna E. di Grazia became principal in 1993, she established an academic program with a strong focus on reading, math, and technology.[2] Di Grazi retired in December 2006 and Assistant Principal Cathy Corsaletti was promoted to take over.[3]

[edit] Academic standards

Since the 2000-2001 school year, PGMS has yearly earned an "A" grade in state testing.[4]

[edit] Hurricane destruction and rebuilding

Punta Gorda Middle School was destroyed by Hurricane Charley on August 13, 2004, and from August 30, 2004, students were bussed to Murdock Middle School, where they attended classes from 8 a.m. to 1:10 p.m. and Murdock students attended from 2 to 7:10 p.m. In February 2005, students returned to the PGMS grounds and a temporary modular school.[2][5] A new three-storey school building is anticipated to open in the summer of 2008 with a capacity of 1200 students.[6] The cafeteria, gym, and classrooms will be separate buildings with improved access security and able to withstand to withstand Level 3 hurricane winds of up to 110 mph. It is also designed to be able to house refugees in case of another hurricane.[7] Students are bringing donations of books to help rebuild the school library which lost its entire collection.[8]

[edit] Notable faculty

Karrie Wikman, sixth-grade science teacher, won Charlotte County's 2006 Teacher of the Year award.[9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Punta Gorda Middle School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed December 26, 2007.
  2. ^ a b News Release—Ground Breaking Charlotte County Public Schools (pdf). Charlotte County Public Schools (2006-10-03). Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
  3. ^ Scott, Anna. "Educator wraps up 31-year career", Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 2006-12-01. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 
  4. ^ School Accountability Report. Florida Department of Education. Retrieved on 2007-12-23.
  5. ^ Dale, Kevin. "Students take a shine to Punta Gorda Middle", Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 2005-02-12. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 
  6. ^ Spinner, Kate. "Rebuilt Peace River Elementary School ready for classes", Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 2007-12-04. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 
  7. ^ Lubbes, Sara. "Board likes school plans", Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 2006-03-29. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 
  8. ^ Allen, Jenny Lee. "Charley destroyed books, historical papers in Punta Gorda", Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 2004-10-15. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 
  9. ^ Tierney, Dan. "Punta Gorda Middle teacher named 'Teacher of the Year'", Charlotte Sun-Herald, 2005-02-23. Retrieved on 2007-12-23. 

[edit] External links