Welcome to Expeditionary Learning (EL) at TMMS

Where Jaguars Lead the Way!

At TMMS, we believe that  we believe that education is more than just a destination—it’s a journey. That’s why we’re proud to partner with EL Education, a nationally recognized model that redefines student achievement and fosters deep, meaningful learning within communities. 

As Jaguars, we are committed to a path rooted in Justice, Access, and Growth. Through EL Education, our students are not only challenged academically but are also nurtured as compassionate, critical thinkers who advocate for themselves and others. 

This year, our focus will center on CREW, a schoolwide structure that builds character, cultivates community, and fosters a strong sense of belonging. CREW reminds us daily that we are stronger together—and that every student, every voice, and every story matters.

In our ELA classrooms, we are implementing EL’s nationally recognized curriculum designed to ignite passion, empower student voice, and promote high-quality work. Our students are given the tools and opportunities to demonstrate mastery, apply their learning to real-world contexts, and communicate with clarity and confidence.

Through this powerful approach, Jaguars are growing into lifelong learners, active citizens, and courageous leaders—ready to make meaningful contributions to our world. 

Together, with our families, staff, and community, we are building a school where every student has access to excellence, and where justice in education is not a goal—but a practice.

Expeditionary Learning in Practice

Core Practices of EL

Grounded in Justice, Built for Access, Focused on Growth

Expeditionary Learning reimagines what’s possible in public education by ensuring that all learners—especially those furthest from opportunity—have access to an education that challenges, empowers, and uplifts. At TMMS, we’re proud to bring this mission to life through a learning environment that values equity, community, and achievement with integrity. 

Our work is anchored in the EL Education Core Practices Framework, which aligns with our school’s core values:

1. Learning Expeditions 

   • Students engage in rich, interdisciplinary learning experiences that connect academic content to real-world issues. These expeditions support justice by giving students voice and choice to explore topics that matter to them and their communities. 

2. Curriculum & Instruction

   • We implement EL’s high-quality, standards-aligned curriculum in ELA and across content areas, ensuring that all students—regardless of background—have access to rigorous, meaningful instruction that promotes critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. 

3. Culture & Character

   • Through daily CREW, community agreements, and service learning, our Jaguars build empathy, perseverance, and ethical responsibility. These structures nurture a culture of belonging and integrity that reflects our belief in the dignity and potential of every learner. 

4. Leadership for Equity 

   • Teachers, students, and school leaders share responsibility for learning and decision-making. Leadership is distributed, inclusive, and justice-driven, creating space for all voices to shape the direction of our school. 

5. Assessment for Learning 

   • We use meaningful, transparent assessments—including student-led conferences and performance tasks—to celebrate growth and guide instruction. This practice ensures that students see themselves as capable, reflective learners on a journey of continuous improvement. 

Together We Climb

At TMMS, Expeditionary Learning (EL) is not just a curriculum --- it's a commitment. A commitment to: 

• Justice, by ensuring every student's identity is seen, valued, and honored in the learning process. 
• Access, by removing barriers and delivering high-quality learning opportunities to all students. 
• Growth, by equipping students with the skills, habits, and confidence they need to lead their own learning and impact the world around them. 

Our Jaguars are thinkers, creators, collaborators, and changemakers. Through EL Education, they are becoming leaders of their own lives—and champions for a more just and equitable future. 

Expeditionary Learning in RCSD

Purposeful Learning. Powerful Voices. 

In the Rochester City School District, Expeditionary Learning (EL) is more than a framework—it's a movement. Across RCSD, schools like World of Inquiry demonstrate how EL empowers students to engage deeply with academic content while building meaningful connections to their community and personal identity. Whether students are marching to City Hall to declare their college aspirations or planting tulips as a symbol of growth and belonging, EL creates space for real-world learning that is rooted in justice, voice, and community. Our students are not just preparing for the future—they are shaping it. By combining rigorous academics with authentic experiences, EL in RCSD ensures that every learner, especially those historically underserved, has access to the tools, relationships, and opportunities needed to grow into thoughtful, compassionate, and capable leaders. 

Rooted In Rochester: 2024 EL Project 

World of Inquiry Marches on Town Hall

Updated 5.20.25