Marshall Middle School (Pittsburgh)

The school has a two-story 'H' shape with two large wings for the auditorium and gymnasium on either side of the "H". The eighth grade classrooms are in the central bar of the H on the second floor, the sixth grade classrooms are on the east wing on the second floor, and the seventh grade classrooms are on the west wing on the second floor.. There is a football/multipurpose field off of the gymnasium to the east and a softball field adjacent to it. Past right field lies cross-country trails that are used for middle school cross country meets and gym classes. Farther east of the cross-country trails are two soccer fields used by local soccer leagues. The Marshall campus also includes a pond used for science purposes and projects. Marshall planned to have a pool in the design of the campus, but that plan was abandoned due to the lack of swimming classes in middle school physical education curriculum. The Marshall Middle School campus houses part of North Allegheny School District's bus fleet. The school was founded in 1993 and cost approximately 30 million USD to build. Marshall Middle School's campus also houses Marshall Elementary School.

The building underwent a massive renovation beginning in 2014 ranging from the removal of old carpeting and installation of commercial tile, to classroom expansion projects in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department and also in the music wing. Other improvements included the installation of occupancy sensors to automatically control new LED troffer fixtures in the hallways and all interior lighting fixtures outside the classrooms. and further installation of security cameras throughout the facility. General aesthetic improvements included painting and installation of new signage and a large MMS tile pattern is now a part of the floor at the main entrance. The library, gymnasium, and auditorium have all been updated as well with new HVAC, carpeting and flooring, and also technology. Many classrooms feature Active Whiteboards from Promethean that augment the district's Focus 2020 model implemented in 2015, where students in the middle and high schools will have access to personal devices in the classroom to be used for purposes of educational enrichments. Students in 6th grade will receive iPads which they will use up until they graduate in 8th grade. When the reach North Allegheny Intermediate High School students receive an HP ProBook Series laptop to provide more options for learning outside of the typical lecture and textbook style environment.

Mr. Daniel Swoger is the current principal of Marshall Middle School. He assumed the post of acting principal in August 2015 following the retirement of long standing principal Dr. Cynthia Kainaroi (see below). Mr. Swoger was the former assistant principal of Ingomar Middle School, one of three North Allegheny middle schools. Before his tenure at the North Allegheny School District, he served a variety of roles ranging Emotional Support Teacher to Assistant Principal of Allegheny Valley School District in Springdale, Pennsylvania.

The Assistant Principal, Mr. Matthew Buchak, served as the Assistant Principal of North Allegheny Senior High School prior to assuming his current post.

Mr. John Schwoebel was the school's original principal, serving until the 2005-2006 school year, when he retired his long standing post to Dr. Kathleen Roppa. Dr. Roppa left after the 2005-2006 school year to take the position of Assistant Superintendent of the Neshannock Township School District. The new principal is Dr. Cynthia (Cindy) Kainaroi for the school years of 2006–2009 and (2011–present). The assistant-principal, Mrs. Tracie Michalowski, served the school from 2006–2017. In the 2010-2011 school year Dr. Cynthia Kainaroi took a 12-month sabbatical and Mrs. Michalowski assume the role of acting-principal. She left Marshall Middle School in 2017 to assume her new post as principal of Ingomar Elementary School.

In 1999-2000 it was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.[6] The award was accepted by the studeny body president, Andrew Michael Jones, who went to Washington, D.C. to accept the award.

Western Pennsylvania ranking

In 2012, the eighth grade was ranked 4th among 8th grades, in the Western Pennsylvania region out of 141 western Pennsylvania middle schools based on the last three years of student academic achievement in PSSAs in: reading, mathematics, writing and science.[7] The ranking (Includes schools in: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Fayette County, Westmoreland County, and Washington County).

• 2012 - 3rd[8]
• 2011 - 2nd
• 2010 - 2nd[9]
• 2009 - 2nd

Seventh grade ranking

In 2013, Marshall Middle School's seventh grade (7th) ranked 3rd among 150 seventh grades in local Western Pennsylvania schools. In 2012, Marshall Middle School's seventh grade ranked 2nd.[10]

Sixth grade ranking

In 2013, Marshall Middle School's sixth grade (6th) ranked 8th among 198 sixth grades in local Western Pennsylvania schools. In 2012, Marshall Middle School's sixth grade ranked 5th.[11]

Yearly Field Trips

Every year, grades have at least one field trip. Sixth graders normally visit Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh, PA for a Pittsburgh Orchestra concert. Seventh graders take a trip to see "A Christmas Carol" every year during the holiday season since it ties in with the English curriculum. Eighth graders watch a Pittsburgh Pirates game every year. Also, for all grades there is Mini Course Day where students sign up to participate in fun activities.

Talent Show

During the spring, Marshall Middle conducts a talent show open to all students. Participants put on their acts for peers, teachers, and parents. Ms. Amy Baschnagel, eighth grade science teacher, and Mr. James Furlong, chorus instructor, coordinate the event. Christina Aguilera performed in the talent show as an 8th grade student.

Concerts

Every winter and spring, each of the musical classes offered at the middle school hold a concert. They are headed by Mr. Wesley Taylor, Mr. James Furlong, and Mrs. Dana Leasure. One concert is performed during school hours for students and staff, and one is performed in the evening after school for parents and guests.

Civil War Day

Because it ties into their social studies curriculum, eighth graders participate in a day in which it is popular to dress up in fashions from the 1860s and as civil war veterans. Often, an Abraham Lincoln impersonator gives a speech, and the students have an outdoor parade around the front of the school. They then return to their classrooms for refreshments.

GOAL is an acronym for Gifted Opportunities for Advanced Learners. This is a program in North Allegheny School District where advanced students who have done well on ITBS tests and/or CogAT tests or have an IQ of over 130, have a chance to take a specialized test to get into the program which enhances their learning experience. In Marshall Middle, the GOAL program is very prominent. GOAL has their own office in the eighth grade hall where GOAL students meet at times. The office is ruled by a student government consisting of a President, Vice President of the Upper Class-men, Vice President of the Under Class-men, treasurer, paperwork secretary, and errands secretary. The Marshall department is headed by Dan Williams, succeeding Pamela Ross in her retirement. Goal also goes on many different education based field trips, called IO's. Some of the IO's include the viewing of an open heart surgery, a weekend trip to the Chesapeake Bay, many different competitions, and more. There are many different IO's for each subject of learning, so all students find something that interests them. GOAL classes are held during reading for sixth and seventh graders twice a week and during English for eighth graders once a week.

Calcu-Solve Mathematics Competition

National Academic League

• Regional Champion 2011, 2010, 2015
• National Final Four 2011, 2014
• Elite Eight 2012, 2010, 2015.[23]

National Middle School Science Bowl

• Regional 3rd Place 2009
• Regional Champions 2014, 2011, 2010, 2015[24]
• National 4th place 2012, 2010, 5th place 2011
• National Civility Award 2010

The Marshall Middle School offers a wide variety of clubs, activities and an extensive, costly sports program. Eligibility for participation is determined by school board policy and in compliance with standards set by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA).

By Pennsylvania law, all K-12 students residing in the district, including those who attend a private nonpublic school, cyber charter school, charter school and those homeschooled, are eligible to participate in the extracurricular programs including all athletics. They must meet the same eligibility rules as the students enrolled in the district's schools.[25]

Popular music artist Christina Aguilera is a graduate of Marshall Middle School. Surprisingly, Aguilera was never accepted into the school's choral ensemble but she has gone on to become one of the worlds most successful recording artists in the music industry.