School Profile for NCMS

Nellie N. Coffman Middle School serves a diverse population of 960 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. Situated on the boundaries of Cathedral City and Rancho Mirage, the campus boasts sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. NCMS carries a proud tradition of academic excellence, and pride in a bilingual student culture with strong connections to the community. Our efforts focus on assisting every student to reach their potential and to continuously improve our instructional approaches. We use district-approved curriculum to design instruction for our students in the California Common Core State Standards for their grade levels. We have a rich electives program designed to meet the adolescent learners' need to explore. Students have multiple opportunities to experience a variety of integrated arts and fields of study that will lead them to high school academies that emphasize college and career readiness.

We provide Special Education services for students who qualify with special needs, including a program that teaches life skills and one that offers a 'Full Inclusion/Consult' delivery model that reflects grade level content and performance standards and ensures access to the core curriculum for all students. Students are then grouped for instructional purposes according to their assessed performance. Following assessment, students receive reading and/or mathematics instruction at their ability level utilizing a variety of service delivery models including small group instruction collaboration, and a variety of differentiated instructional strategies (Cooperative Learning, Direct Instruction, Peer Tutoring, Guided Reading/Lessons, etc.) Identified special education services are delivered through pull-out programs or within the regular education classes through co-teaching, classroom support, and/or consultation from special education personnel. The materials utilized for the collaboration model will be purchased jointly through the special education department and site funds.