Historic J.L. Long Middle School Featured During 36th Annual Lakewood Home Festival, Prepares For Roll Out Of The International Baccalaureate Middle Years Pro

Online, September 18, 2012 (Newswire.com) - The 36th Annual Lakewood Home Festival will spotlight the historic J.L. Long Middle School. Built in 1933 and recognized as a Historic Dallas Landmark, this is the first time a neighborhood school will be on the home tour. The school will be open to the tour-goers during the Lakewood Home Festival, November 10th and 11th 2012. Guests will be able to view this beautiful campus and unique architectural features such as the Potter Art Metal light fixtures which still hang in the school today. Visitors will be able to get a first-hand look at the recent renovation project, paid for by a $2.7mil bond package.

Also new this year for the Lakewood Home Festival is a change of venue for its popular cafe. J.L.Long will host the cafe, which will have an International theme. The theme was created to highlight the mission and message of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. This program has been implemented at the campus and the certification process is underway. Once certified, J.L.Long will be the first public middle school in Dallas and one of only thirty-seven programs like it in the state of Texas. The program will align the curriculum of both the Long and Woodrow Wilson High School campuses, which introduced the IB Diploma Programme to its students in 2010.

Hosted by the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA (LECPTA), the Lakewood Home Festival is a community-wide event that raises funds for Lakewood Elementary School, J.L. Long Middle School and Woodrow Wilson High School. The funds directly benefit students through the purchase of school materials, computers and enrichment programs as well as the International Baccalaureate programs at Long and Woodrow. Attended by as many as 4,000 patrons, the Lakewood Home Festival has raised approximately $1 million for local schools since 1976.

J.L. Long Middle School embraces the mission of cultivating young minds and spirits for leadership in academic achievement and personal excellence. Located in Old East Dallas, Long Middle School boasts a strong academic record, excellence in extracurricular offerings, and committed community support.

Long currently serves students in grades six through eight, offering a full range of college preparatory coursework, including pre-Advanced Placement courses in reading, math, science, and social studies. Long also offers a certified Advancement Via Individual Determination program that prepares students who are capable of completing rigorous curriculum but are falling short of their potential for four-year college eligibility.

J. L. Long Middle School is a candidate school* for the Middle Years Programme. This school is pursuing authorization as an IB World School. IB World schools share a common philosophy- a commitment to high - quality, challenging, international education - that we believe is important for our students.

* Only schools authorized by the IB Organization can offer any of its three academic programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), or the Diploma Programme (and in addition the IB Career - related certificate). Candidate status gives no guarantee that authorization will be granted. For further information about the IB and its programmes, visit http://www.ibo.org.

Visit www.lakewoodhomefestival.com for more information on the Lakewood Home Festival.

Visit www.jllong.com for more information about J.L. Long Middle School.
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