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Mattie V. Rutherford Alternative Middle School is located in the historic Springfield area of Jacksonville, and we are a specialized school that serves both elementary and middle school students. The school’s primary goal is to provide students with a second chance to improve both their academics and behavior, ensuring that they are prepared to become productive citizens after they leave. Students attending Mattie V. Rutherford are typically referred through the district’s hearing office. This referral process is based on the student’s violations of the district’s student code of conduct. Mattie V. Rutherford serves as a structured environment to realign behavior and academic performance. Parents and guardians play an essential role in their child’s progress at Mattie V. Rutherford Alternative Middle School. Regular communication between the school and families is encouraged to ensure students receive the necessary support both at school and home.
Mattie V. Rutherford Alternative Middle School provides targeted support to help students overcome challenges, with a focus on behavioral improvement and academic recovery. This may include personalized attention, counseling, and specialized learning plans to ensure that students have the best possible chance for success.
The school offers a structured setting aimed at fostering personal responsibility, accountability, and positive growth. The goal is to ensure that students can return to traditional schooling or successfully transition to the next stage of their education with improved attitudes and skills. We incorporate strategies to enhance emotional and behavioral self-regulation through trust-based relational intervention and trauma-informed classroom training for teachers. Small group and individual counseling by Mattie V. Rutherford’s school counselor are available. School-based telehealth is provided by Hazel Health. We implement restorative practices. We host Tuesday Talks with the dean of students. We also hold Hour of Power, a program designed to build students’ self-awareness and self-management skills.
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