Take one look at Northwest Middle School, and you can quickly forget any preconceived notions you may have had about Salt Lake City. The largest and most culturally diverse student population of all the middle schools in Salt Lake City's School District, Northwest has over 39 different countries represented in its student body.

Because of its diversity, Northwest has always stressed the message that “each student brings vitality to our culture.” The school's four pillars – school, peers, family and community – reinforce this emphasis, resulting in a truly remarkable place to learn.

Recognizing, for example, that nearly half their students speak Spanish at home, three Northwest teachers and the assistant principal studied for a month in Oaxaca, Mexico to improve their language skills. In addition, more than a third of the school's teachers are currently studying to obtain the English as a Second Language endorsement. Translators are available in six different languages to assist in parent/teacher conferences, and registration materials are available in eleven languages. “Each of these efforts on the part of the school,” says principal Rosemary Baron, “sends the message to the community that they are not just a valued member of the community, but a potentially valuable participant in the active life of the school.”

To help the students understand this crucial message, Northwest also supports The Warrior Times, a monthly publication of work written, edited and published by the students. “Through their involvement with the paper,” Baron says “students learn to balance the rights of a free press and the responsibility of supporting a sound and safe learning environment.

“The Northwest staff has long held the belief that it takes an entire community to educate our children, and so we are dedicated to linking the school with the community patrons and neighborhood resources so we can make Northwest the most inviting place in town.”