Sylvan Hills Middle School

Get ready to celebrate AVID Wednesday by wearing your AVID shirt, college gear, or career wear tomorrow!

AVID builds college- and career-ready students at every grade level. Take some time to read how some PCSSD students say AVID is making a difference in their education. #ExpectBelieveSucceed

about 6 hours ago, PCSSD

A large group of students stands together in a classroom holding completed "Because of AVID, I..." reflection sheets. The students display a variety of responses describing how AVID has helped them develop academic skills, ask questions, improve note-taking, set goals, and build confidence. The photo showcases student participation in the school's AVID reflection activity.

A collection of "Because of AVID, I..." reflection sheets is arranged on a tabletop. The handwritten responses from students and staff describe how AVID has helped with note-taking, goal setting, academic achievement, confidence, organization, and staying focused on grades. Each sheet features the #MyAVIDWhy message and reflects personal growth through AVID.

Four elementary students and one staff member pose in a school hallway in front of a display of student work. The wall features vocabulary posters, space-themed decorations, and motivational star signs with encouraging messages. The group stands together beneath the student work showcase, highlighting a positive learning environment and student achievement.

A student stands beside an AVID mission poster while holding a "Because of AVID, I..." reflection sheet. The handwritten response shares that AVID has helped the student earn good grades and stay focused on schoolwork. Surrounding wall displays include AVID materials and school information posters that reinforce college and career readiness.

Three staff members stand together in a school hallway near an elevator, holding clipboards, folders, and other materials. The group is participating in an AVID activity and is surrounded by school safety equipment and hallway displays. The photo highlights staff engagement and support for schoolwide AVID initiatives.

A student stands in front of an AVID mission poster and holds a "Because of AVID, I..." reflection sheet. The handwritten response reads, "Communicate better with people." Additional school posters about student readiness and school policies are displayed on the wall behind the student.

Catch up on what’s happening at SHMS in this week’s family newsletter! 💙🐻

#SHMSBears #BearPride #ExpectBelieveSucceed

2 days ago, Mike Hudgeons, Principal

🎉💙 Help us celebrate Ms. McBride! 💙🎉 We couldn’t let the weekend go by without giving Ms. McBride some BIG birthday love! 🥳 She does so much for SHMS and is always there to help our students, staff, and families. We appreciate her more than she knows and hope she had the BEST birthday yesterday! 💐🎂 Drop some birthday love for Ms. McBride in the comments! 🥳🎈💙 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. McBRIDE!! 🎉💙🎉

4 days ago, Janna Gibson

🎵 More than 150 PCSSD students sharpened their skills together at a districtwide All‑Region preparatory workshop this past weekend! 🎶

Sylvan Hills Junior High’s choir hosted singers from Mills Middle, Robinson High, Robinson Middle, and Sylvan Hills Middle schools. The extra reps built confidence ahead of All‑Region auditions on October 3. Good luck!
#ExpectBelieveSucceed

5 days ago, PCSSD

A choir stands in rows holding music folders while an instructor with beaded hair conducts at the front; colorful posters and photos cover the back wall.

A group of students sit in a large circle of chairs in a band room while an instructor stands and leads discussion; percussion instruments and “The Pride of the Hillside Band” mural are visible in the background.

Students sit on tiered risers holding music folders while a conductor stands in front with a baton; plaques and windows showing school buses line the back wall.

Students stand among rows of black chairs holding papers or folders in a music rehearsal room with blue acoustic panels and a drum set in the back.

Students sit in a large circle of chairs while one student stands in the center reading from a tablet; the room has beige walls, acoustic panels, and pink tape X marks on the carpet.

A large group of high school choir students stand closely together in a music room, smiling for a group photo; blue acoustic panels and chairs surround them.

“C” US DIFFERENTLY

Our overall district letter grade has improved from a D to a C, and schools across the district have experienced some big progress.

Here’s what we mean:
🚀 4 schools jumped multiple grade levels
🏅 11 schools improved by at least one letter grade
📈 19 schools increased their overall accountability scores

We are proud of these achievements, and we are C-ing even greater things ahead!

#seeusdifferently #ExpectBelieveSucceed

6 days ago, PCSSD

A structured graphic graphic titled "School and District Letter Grades" displaying letter grade performance comparisons for Pulaski County Special School District (PCSSD) between 2025 and 2026. District Grade: Pulaski County Special School District: Improved from D in 2025 to C in 2026. Secondary Schools (2025 Grade → 2026 Grade): Joe T. Robinson Middle School: B → C Maumelle Middle School: F → F Mills Middle School: D → D Sylvan Hills Middle School: D → C Sylvan Hills Junior High: F → C Joe T. Robinson High School: F → C Maumelle High School: D → C Mills University Studies High: D → F Sylvan Hills High School: C → C Elementary Schools (2025 Grade → 2026 Grade): Cato Elementary: D → C Chenal Elementary: A → C Baker Elementary: B → B College Station Elementary: F → B Crystal Hill Elementary: C → C Daisy Bates Elementary: D → C Joe T. Robinson Elementary: C → D Landmark Elementary: C → B Lawson Elementary: D → C Oak Grove Elementary: F → C Oakbrooke Elementary: C → C Pine Forest Elementary: C → C Sherwood Elementary: B → B Sylvan Hills Elementary: C → C William J. Clinton Elementary: F → D

It is already more than halfway through the first quarter, which means it is a good time to check in on student progress! Log in to the Home Access Center anytime at hac23.esp.k12.ar.us to view grades, attendance, and more. #ExpectBelieveSucceed

8 days ago, PCSSD

Week 7 is here! Check out this week’s family newsletter for important updates and reminders. 💙🐻

#SHMSBears #BearPride #ExpectBelieveSucceed

9 days ago, Mike Hudgeons, Principal

🎉💙 IT’S MS. KENDRICK’S BIRTHDAY!! 💙🎉 Help us show some BIG birthday love to the one and only Ms. Kendrick! 🥳 She brings so much to SHMS, and today we’re celebrating HER! Drop a 🎂, 💙, or birthday shoutout in the comments and help us make her day extra special! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MS. KENDRICK! 🎈🎉🥳 #SHMSBears #PCSSD

9 days ago, Janna Gibson

💎🐻 SHMS IS A GEM SCHOOL! 🐻💎 We are so proud of our students, staff, and families! Sylvan Hills Middle School has been recognized as a Gem School by the state of Arkansas! A lot of hard work happens inside SHMS every single day, and we are proud to see our school recognized. Thank you to our teachers and staff for all you do, our students for continuing to work hard, and our families for always supporting SHMS. Proud to be a Bear! 💙🤍🐻 Expect. Believe. Succeed.

11 days ago, Janna Gibson

These PCSSD Department of Safety and Security officers watch over the Sylvan Hills High School feeder pattern of schools.

Please join in celebrating these security officers for National Security Officer Appreciation Week. #ExpectBelieveSucceed

12 days ago, PCSSD

Sylvan feeder pattern safety and security department personnel

We are so proud of the growth happening at SHMS! 💙🐻 This progress is truly a team effort. Thank you to our administrators for their leadership, our teachers and staff for the work they put in every day, and our students for continuing to learn, grow, and push themselves. We’re proud of how far we’ve come, and we’re excited to keep climbing together! Expect. Believe. Succeed. 💙

12 days ago, Janna Gibson

This Friday, we will celebrate AVID Day, joining schools across the country in recognizing the impact of educators and students working together to expand access and opportunity. At Pulaski County Special School District, AVID strengthens skills like critical thinking, organization, collaboration, and self-advocacy, helping students prepare for college, careers, and beyond. We are proud of the growth we see every day and grateful for the shared commitment that makes it possible. #MyAVIDWhy #ExpectBelieveSucceed

14 days ago, PCSSD

🎉 Happy Birthday, Officer Askew! 🎉 We hope you have a great day! Thank you for all you do for our students and staff each day. We appreciate you and hope you enjoy your birthday! 💙💛 Help us wish Officer Askew a very Happy Birthday! 🎂🎈🥳

16 days ago, Janna Gibson

Week 6 is here! Check out this week’s family newsletter for important updates and reminders. 💙🐻

#SHMSBears #BearPride #ExpectBelieveSucceed

16 days ago, Mike Hudgeons, Principal

Happy Birthday, Mr. Stanley! 🥳🎉 We hope you have an awesome day and get to enjoy every minute of it! Help us show Mr. Stanley some birthday love today! 🎂🎈🥳 💙 Your SHMS Family

19 days ago, Janna Gibson

Week 5 is here! Check out this week’s family newsletter for important updates and reminders. 💙🐻

#SHMSBears #BearPride #ExpectBelieveSucceed

22 days ago, Mike Hudgeons, Principal

Help us celebrate the wonderful Ms. Espinda! 🎉 We are so thankful for all she does for our students and staff. Her kind heart, hard work, and willingness to help make SHMS a better place every day. We hope she had the happiest birthday because she truly deserves it! 💜🎂

22 days ago, Mike Hudgeons, Principal

Schools and district offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. Students will return to school on Tuesday, September 8, and all district offices will also be open.

25 days ago, PCSSD

A cartoon sign says, "district offices will be closed Monday, September 7"

🎉 Happy Birthday, Ms. Harris! We hope you have a wonderful day and feel celebrated today. Help us wish Ms. Harris a very happy birthday! 🎂🥳

26 days ago, Janna Gibson

🎉 Happy Birthday, Ms. Carson! We hope you have a wonderful day and feel celebrated today. Help us wish Ms. Carson a very happy birthday! 🎂🥳

26 days ago, Janna Gibson