Press Release

Lindley Middle To Become School-Within-A-School
First middle school in Cobb to adopt concept

Cobb educators have taken a bold step to focus on student achievement at the middle school level. At the June 28, 2007 board meeting, the Cobb Board of Education approved personnel moves that will result in Lindley Middle School in Mableton becoming a “school-within-a-school.” The move breaks the 1,400-student school into two smaller learning communities, providing the opportunity for a more supportive instructional environment. The 6th grade will become the Lindley 6th Grade Academy and will have its own principal, former Lindley assistant principal Landon Brown. Principal John McCrary, in his second year at Lindley, will provide leadership over the 7th and 8th grades.

McCrary enthusiastically supports the move saying it will solidify the impressive improvements Lindley experienced during the 2006-2007 school year. With assistance from teachers, administrators, and parents, McCrary introduced a progressive approach to connect with students. Pointing to the 36-percent drop in discipline infractions and the 33-percent increase in student attendance, McCrary believes implementing the school-within-a-school model will go even further in allowing the school staff to meet the specific needs of students.

Principal Landon Brown is equally excited. “I have had the pleasure of working with the Mableton community for the past nine years as a former math teacher and administrator,” he said. “The 6th grade learning community presents a great opportunity to meet the needs of our students by supporting their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive changes. I am very excited about this new initiative and look forward to working with our 6th grade students at such a critical stage in their academic and social preparation.”

Superintendent Fred Sanderson said the concept is one that should benefit all students at Lindley. “I am extremely optimistic about our decision to create a school-within-a-school at Lindley Middle School,” he said. “Breaking up the school into smaller units will create a more nurturing environment, one that is sure to raise student achievement. I am also impressed with the relationships Landon Brown has developed in his nine years at Lindley. His leadership style is just what we need for this new role, and I expect he and John McCrary will work well together to continue Lindley’s steady progress.”

The school-within-a-school concept is not new to Cobb County. Several elementary schools, including Austell, Brumby, Bryant, Riverside and Sanders, have operated successfully under the model in recent years, but Lindley will be the first middle school to become a school-within-a-school. Specifics about the initiative at Lindley will be communicated to staff and parents through letters that will be mailed over the next few days, and through communication on the school web site.