Our vision for James Denman Middle School is that all members of our learning community will be literate, motivated, respectful, and independent thinkers. We commit to creating a safe, non-competitive environment in classrooms—getting to know individual students—their families, skills, and talents. Our experienced teachers demonstrate, encourage, and expect respect in the classroom. They challenge each student to work hard and learn from others.

We believe that a joyful learner is one who is challenged just enough to feel like he/she has accomplished something real. The concept of a joyful learner needs to be applied not only to the students, but to the staff and the parent community as well. We aim for adventure in learning. James Denman is building partnerships with community members in bringing in choir and music production programs like digital music making and connecting it to mathematics. We are also focusing on character development through giving our students leadership opportunities. Student government is active with more than 20 participants. They work on improving student climate, bringing equity into their school, and improving the school's environment. Our school community is active in our own service projects—such as improving our school environment; creating bulletin board themes and murals; gardens, and recycling/composting. Our school community welcomes and supports active parent participation through a variety of involvement opportunities.

Our mission is to provide each student with an equal opportunity to succeed by promoting intellectual growth, creativity, self-discipline, cultural, and linguistic sensitivity, democratic responsibility, economic competence, and physical and mental health so that each student can achieve his or her maximum potential

Our Vision at James Denman Middle School is to ensure that every student will be prepared for high school, will understand the A-G requirements for universities, and will be prepared to engage in the academic technological world.  Our students will have the confidence, competence and information needed to make positive choices for their future and will have demonstrated strength and competence in all areas needed for full participation in the 21^st century economic, political, cultural, and intellectual life of our nation and global society.  In addition to academic competency, these areas include multilingual and cross-cultural competency; technological literacy; communication skills; aesthetic sensibility; critical and creative thinking, reasoning, and solution-seeking; social, environmental and civic responsibility; and strength of character.

Our Guiding Principles:

• I take actions and make decisions that move us closer to our vision of student success.
• I nurture positive relationships and connections in service of student success.
• I inspire and support innovation to end racism, classism, and language bias.
• I contribute to creating a system that supports our principles, goals and objectives.