Welcome to Tolland Middle School
Tolland Middle School is home to approximately 500 students in grades 6 – 8, where we focus on empowering learners through high-quality pedagogy, social emotional learning, and family partnerships.
In grades 6 and 7, students are part of interdisciplinary teams that foster collaboration and consistency across core subjects. Grade 8 transitions to a departmental model, helping students build independence and prepare for high school. Across all grades, our structure supports strong connections between students and staff; our goal is to ensure that all students feel known, supported, and challenged.
We are proud to use components of Mastery-Based Grading, which emphasizes student learning, providing additional support and retakes on formative assessments to ensure students understand concepts as content progresses. Additionally, students complete a Behavioral Matrix quarterly, where they reflect on their progress and set goals for their growth. This approach reflects our belief that all students can succeed when given the tools and support to do so.
At TMS, we prioritize student agency, encouraging learners to make choices, reflect on their growth, and advocate for themselves. We know that academic success (and middle school) is deeply connected to social-emotional development, and we work intentionally through our Advisory program, instructional planning, and extracurricular activities to build a school culture rooted in our Portrait of the Graduate skills and dispositions as well as our SOAR core values of safety, ownership, active learning, and respect.
We also believe that education is a partnership. Families are essential allies in our work, and we value open communication, collaboration, and shared responsibility in helping students thrive. Together, we’re building a community where students are inspired to be their best selves - academically, socially, and emotionally.
In partnership,
Melissa Hickey
Principal
Contact Information and Hours
Tolland Middle School
One Falcon Way
Tolland, CT 06084
Phone: 860-870-6860
Fax: 860-870-5737
Nurse's Direct Fax: 1-860-374-2428
Principal: Melissa Hickey ([email protected])
Assistant Principal: J. Anthony Spangle ([email protected])
Daily Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Early Release: 8:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Summer Office Hours - 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.