Heron Creek Middle School

Web Leaders Welcome Everybody, or WEB, is a peer leadership program which provides upper-grade students the training and opportunity to serve as peer leaders.	Recycling Center Heron Creek Middle School serves as a community based Sarasota County recycling center.
Challenge Program "Challenge" provides an opportunity for advanced ability students to study content with greater depth. Self-directed, independent, application based project work allows students to prepare for the rigor of advanced placement high school courses. This "Challenge" program allows students to meet in classes while receiving individualized instruction to move every student forward regardless of his/her current skill level. HCMS Challenge Program received a "Promising Practice" national Award from the Character Education Partnership	Award 180 Awards are given to students who make a "complete turnaround" in behavior, academic performance or attendance during the school year. This award offers encouragement to students who initially struggle, but then learn from their mistakes.
21st Century Community Learning CenterA federal grant provides before and after-school programs. Academic, art, music, recreation and social activities are provided Monday through Friday. In addition, homework help is available for students who need additional support with coursework, access to technology and other resources or just a conducive environment for completion of homework.	Athletic Programs Competitive and developmental athletic programs are available for HCMS students. Competitive sports include basketball, volleyball, track, tennis and golf. Developmental sports are open to all students.
AlateenWe are pleased to inform you that Alateen groups have recently started on campus for both middle and high school students. Alateen is a support group for young people who are affected by someone else's drinking. Adult Al-Anon sponsors facilitate these groups which meet weekly during the school day. If you have any questions or you do not want your child to attend an Alateen meeting, please contact Diane Strick.	Peer CounselingHCMS has begun a pioneering ENCORE class. It offers the opportunity for mainstream students to work collaboratively with our special needs students. Each student enrolled in the Peer Counseling Program serves as a tutor, mentor and friend for each and every member of Mrs. Cameron's special needs class. The Peer Counseling students will be evaluated on cooperative effort, interpersonal skills and pre/post self-reflecting exercises.
Project Harmony This program provides leadership training for students. Participants are trained to mediate conflict among peers and take responsibility for developing communication among an ethnically diverse student population.	Counseling ProgramsSafe Alternative to Out-of-School Suspension (SA TOSS) provides counseling as an alternative to suspension for qualifying students. A partnership with Jewish Children and Family Services provides a positive alternative for discipline of first time offenders. Counseling and Family Services staff provide numerous student support groups including: Rainbows, Alateen and Anger Management Groups. In addition, a community sponsored mentor program for culturally diverse male students is offered.

Programs