Learn More About Skinner

Supervision begins on school grounds at 8:00 am. Skinner’s first bell rings at 8:10 am. This is when the doors open. Instruction begins when the second bell rings at 8:20 am. The final bell rings at 3:20 pm. After school tutoring and athletics begin at 3:50 pm and run until 5:30 pm depending on the activity.

Skinner Informational Videos – Please click here to see Skinner’s new informational videos! (Fall, 2020)

• Skinner students have 7 classes daily: 4 Core classes (Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies), two electives or Core+ classes and Learning Family (homeroom).
• Skinner offers over 20 different Core+ classes including Spanish, art, STEAM, P.E., wood shop, band, orchestra, choir, audio production, home ec, and many more.
• Skinner offers Honors course options for all grades.
• Skinner provides small group reading and/or math intervention for students not yet proficient in those subjects.
• Skinner provides customized learning plan and custom built schedules for every student.

Skinner students have 7 classes daily: 4 Core classes (Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies), two electives or Core+ classes and Learning Family. Skinner offers over 20 different Core+ classes including Spanish, art, STEAM, P.E., wood shop, band, orchestra, choir, audio production, home ec, drama and many more.

Skinner offers different clubs like Restorative Justice League, Jazz & Rock Band, Environment & Sustainability Club and many others. Please click here for more information about Skinner Clubs.

DPS Middle School Sports also take place after school. Students can participate in: soccer, volleyball, basketball, flag football, cross-country and more. For more information visit Scorpion Athletics.

The transition from elementary to middle school is an important period to keep academic achievement and rigor a central focus. Skinner administration and staff are equipped to provide continuous academic improvement for a range of achievement levels.

Several efforts are made to determine the academic level of our incoming sixth graders including coordination with area feeder schools to understand content and curriculum, review of student academic records and assessment prior to the beginning of the school year. Our ability to meet the individual needs of students include:

• Intervention and ELL resources
• Top ranked special programs for students with disabilities
• Honors courses
• Learning Family provides social and academic support throughout the year

Skinner offers Honors options in Math and Language Arts. Honors options offer an environment designed to stimulate and challenge learners who have met the criteria for the honors program.

In Honors courses, students will:

• Strive toward the exemplary standard of assessment rubrics
• Publish and present their new understanding and insights through use of multimedia (iMovies, skits, podcasts, blogs, etc.)
• Read a variety of higher level texts for new perspectives and thematic connections.
• Create examples of problems and participate in math competitions (Math)
• Pursue self-expression within the context of the unit goals
• Develop productive habits of mind: building stamina, striving for accuracy, thinking flexibly, generating questions that lead to deeper understanding, etc.
• Self-assess and set ambitious goals for future learning

Candidates for the honors program demonstrate many of the following characteristics:

• Is proficient/advanced in subject area
• Takes initiative for his/her own learning
• Has a lot of curiosity seeking the answer to “why?”
• Has a large vocabulary
• Works well in groups and communicates well
• Strives towards excellence
• Is self-motivated and has a strong work ethic
• Is organized and able to self-assess progress and develop plans toward continual improvement

Yes! All students have the opportunity to take honors options. Honors placement depends on subject, student readiness, student interest, teacher recommendation, assessment data, etc.

Please visit our GT website page for more information.

• Meeting students’ needs the moment they begin at Skinner is a priority of the staff, especially for the intervention team whether it be social, emotional, behavioral, and especially academic as the focus at Skinner is to best prepare kids for high school and beyond. Skinner provides a continuum of services for kids to meet their needs from intense center programs with direct basic skill education to support in grade level classes to give kids the little extra help they may need. In between options include smaller modified or intervention classes to meet kids where they are at to close any skill gaps and help kids not only gain abilities but also confidence. One on one instruction and/or small group instruction is also provided to students as needed. The support team is highly skilled and experienced with veteran teachers and passionate interventionists. Students at Skinner are loved and valued – meeting their needs is a relentless effort.
• Skinner provides small group reading and/or math intervention for students not yet proficient in those subjects. These intensive, small group classes happen daily and are on students’ schedules in addition to traditional Language Arts and/or Math classes. 
• Teachers offer extra, one-on-one help during Learning Family and after school Office Hours.
• Additionally, weekly progress reports help parents/guardians stay on top of their student’s progress. 

1-to-1 Technology – every student receives their own Chromebook for use at school and at home. Every classroom is also equipped with a smart board.

Skinner’s school culture nurtures students’ sense of belonging:

• The Principal and staff greet every student daily upon entering the school.
• A culture of learning and across-the-board peer acceptance are the norm for our diverse student population.
• Every student meets daily with their “Learning Family” of no more than fifteen students in the same grade and is mentored by a staff member. The mentor monitors progress, helps develop supportive learning relationships and teaches organizational skills.
• Skinner Cares Day happens twice a year and provide an opportunity to our Skinner family to learn about ourselves and others on a deeper level.
• All students take anti-bullying (RESPECT) classes each year.
• Students are organized by grades in different wings and have different passing periods.
• Restorative Approach Program to support students and families mediate concerns and build relationships.

Please CLICK HERE for the 2024-2025 Skinner Scholar/Parent Handbook to review the Skinner dress code.

Community

Being part of a community gives us a sense of belonging. It is a feeling that people within the community matter to one another and share common interests and goals. Members of a community support each other and connect in ways that build pride in a shared identity. 

Equity

Equity means recognizing that we do not all start from the same place, so we need to make adjustments in order to overcome barriers and provide opportunities for all to meet their highest potential. We will strive for equity by empowering individuals with differentiated supports they need to thrive. 

Growth

Personal growth is the act of developing as an individual. It can be used to describe personal development in several areas including mental, physical, and emotional health. It can encompass academic progress or strengthening a skill or practice. 

Ownership

Taking ownership is important because it builds trust, support, and bonds with people you care about. Ownership involves taking the initiative to bring about positive results. A team cannot thrive without a culture of accountability because it keeps everyone working together toward a collective school mission. 

Respect

Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they’re different from you or you don’t agree with them. Respect in your relationships builds feelings of trust, safety, and wellbeing. Respect doesn’t have to come naturally – it is something you learn.

Skinner is in the NW Middle School Enrollment Zone. As such, Skinner does not have a boundary. Anyone wishing to attend Skinner must participate in the DPS School Choice (Round 1) process.

Please click here to see the district-wide Enrollment Zone/Boundary map.

The DPS SchoolChoice Round 1 open enrollment window for the 2025-26 school year opens at 10 a.m. on Jan. 15 and runs through Feb. 18, 2025 at 4 p.m.

• “This is our second year at Skinner and as an involved parent, I am so impressed by the continued support and dedication of the staff to these kids. Our son has embraced middle school better than we ever expected and is thriving both educationally and socially. We couldn’t be happier our son is there and look forward to our daughter attending in the near future.”
• “Our two daughters have really enjoyed Skinner! They love their well-rounded classes and their teachers. The communication from administration has been refreshing as we always feel we know what is going on. They really make sure 6th graders are ready for the big change to middle school and we feel our children are safe in this community-minded school. We have been very impressed with their thoughtful teachers.”
• “I’ve been a parent at Skinner for 5 years now, and I have always appreciated the school and staff. They spend a great deal of time thinking bout how to create a kind and caring student body (very different from my middle school experience). And both my boys loved the elective classes, including Music, Gym, Woodworking, Home EC, Art, and Spanish.”
• “From teachers to leadership, all staff could not be any more supportive of the students’ growth, both socially and academically. We are so thrilled, and fortunate, to have such an amazing neighborhood school!”
• “My children can stay with neighborhood friends, meet new friends and be a part of their community.”
• “The ‘feel’ of the school is welcoming and supportive.”
• “It is a safe learning environment that actively encourages children from different backgrounds to collaborate.”
• “Teachers and parents collaborate to make sure my children are challenged academically.”
• “Our two sons chose their neighborhood school and we are so thankful that we listened to them. We wanted them to attend the smaller Montessori Jr/Sr High School to continue their Montessori education but they begged us to let them attend Skinner. They were right, we were wrong. Skinner provided our boys not just with a solid education that prepared them to thrive in high school, but also inclusive and enjoyable activities, sports, and clubs that allowed them to find their people. These friendships helped them in their transition to high school and enjoy their high school years. They thrived in high school and are freshmen in college. We are so grateful to the teachers and staff at Skinner who even took the time to discuss our boys with the teachers and staff at North to ensure a smooth transition.”
• “This email is long overdue, but I wanted to express how fortunate we feel to have our son within your school. Even before he started his first class within Skinner your transition process into Skinner was reassuring that this would be a school that would focus on all aspects of our child whether it was educational, social and emotional, or the wide variety of activities and classes that were available to foster our child in countless ways. When (our son) started school each teacher went above and beyond to welcome him into their classrooms and the communication was extensive and clear. We could not be more impressed with the lessons that are being taught and the skills that are being developed as his teachers and coaches work tirelessly on his behalf. We can’t express how impressed we are!! This week exemplified the type of culture that is within your school with the gun violence walk-out activities that were planned on Wednesday. I know that there is a lot of pressure on schools to remain impartial to taking political stands around controversial activities, but I thank you so much for taking the courageous and important stance that you would support the students whether they wanted to walk-out or not. To know that the students could use their voice and they would be safe in doing so is one of the most important lessons that can be taught. I thank you for providing a police escort and allowing them to walk in a highly visible area in a safe manner for it was impressive. Your staff is simply amazing and we are so thankful for the great work that is being done on a daily basis. Keep the good and important work up!! With deep gratitude…”