West Carroll Middle School is the proud home of "The Thunder". The newly constructed attendance center houses all 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th graders in the West Carroll School District #314 which encompasses Mt. Carroll, Savanna, and Thomson, Illinois. During the 2008-2009 academic year, 306 students were enrolled in WCMS. All students are placed on grade level teams to gain mastery in their academic core classes of Language and Literature, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Interdisciplinary Units are taught at grade level by highly qualified teachers and students are also enrolled in physical education daily as well as elective courses. Students also have the option to enroll in chorus and/or band. The teachers at West Carroll Middle School are regularly trained in technology skills such as the use of SMART boards, Mimio tools, and the interactive EDLINE grading system. Students are able to access the computer labs and library on a daily basis. Annually, WCMS hosts a " Battle of the Books" school-wide competition, Spelling Bee by the National Scripts foundation, and the "Patriot's Pen" Essay contest for the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) with a chance for a student to win a $10,000 savings bond.

WCMS employs a diverse staff of teachers who support each other and engage in travel adventures around the world. In the fall, WCMS Student Council hosted a dance for the student body where all of the proceeds supported our mission to send three Haitian students: Brinelle, Maggie, and Rubentz to attend school. In addition, a Haiti supply drive was held. In 2008, WCMS students donated over 53 boxes and bags of full of food, hygiene, medical, and school supplies to Haiti. In addition to the supplies, $272.00 was also collected. All of the money and supplies traveled with the Carroll County Haiti Mission Projects (CCHMP) most recent mission team to Haiti last October.

Besides helping Internationally, the West Carroll Middle School believes strongly in service learning at the local level. On a six week rotation cycle, 6 th grade students spend one hour per week to visit the Good Samaritan Nursing Home to form a friendship bond with an elderly neighbor. In addition, the 7 th graders have the opportunity to help several local charities. The 7 th grade staff and students have spent the morning in the potato fields of Neumiller Farms picking potatoes. All total almost three truck loads of potatoes were gleaned. Two truck loads were delivered to the Salvation Army in Freeport. The remaining truck load was divided amongst the Savanna Food Pantry, The Table, The Trinity Reform Church/Food Panty in Fulton, and the Train Office, The Victory Center, and The Benevolence Society in Clinton.  All of these charities were in great need and very grateful for the food. Teaching the students to help others may be one of the best life lessons our children can learn!

Athletically, WCMS Thunder offers a wide-array of athletics for the adolescent child. Beginning in 5 th grade, West Carroll Youth Association offers competitive football, basketball, and cheerleading. In 6th, 7th, and 8th grades students are able to join school-sponsored athletics including football, basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, wrestling, and track. All students are invited to participate in athletics at West Carroll Middle School. Musically, we offer students opportunities in band and choir. Students perform annually at concerts and travel to compete at IMEA music festivals. We highly encourage students to participate in a wide array of activities at the middle school. To recognize high achieving students, we hold a quarterly school-wide recognition assembly to publicly recognize high honor students, honor students, and students with perfect attendance.