Allen Middle Prepares for Changes in Staff, Schedule

Allen Middle will welcome a new principal in July as it begins a transformation designed to improve student performance and school atmosphere.

Dr. Shelia Gorham, current principal of Wiley Elementary, will serve as the new principal at Allen Middle effective July 1. Under Gorham's leadership, Wiley saw its End-of-Grade test scores jump 18.7 percentage points between 2011 and 2012, making it one of the district's most improved schools in 2012.

Allen Middle has been recommended by the district to undergo transformation to address falling test scores and concerns from parents and staff about the school climate. Part of that process includes bringing in new leadership and giving existing staff the opportunity to reapply for their positions if they choose. They can also apply to work at a different GCS school.

"We want to make sure Allen Middle has a team that is full of energy and ideas to make the school a more successful place to learn," says Dr. Terry Worrell, Central Region Superintendent. "The district is committed to doing whatever it takes to give all students the best possible education."

Under the transformation plan, the school year will be extended by 10 days to allow for additional instructional time. The revised calendar, if approved by the Board of Education, would start the school year on Aug. 12, 2013, and end it on June 10, 2014.

Accelerating school reform is an initiative included in Guilford County Schools' 2016 Strategic Plan. GCS administrators opted to intervene at Allen to reverse the academic trend as a proactive measure.