Steering Committee Membership Information Annual Conference Newsletter Journal Educational Links

What is ELMLE? The European League for Middle Level Education (ELMLE) is the only international affiliate of the NMSA, the National Middle School Association based in Ohio, U.S.A. Founded by an educator in Brussels, Belgium in 1986, ELMLE exists for the purpose of promoting and improving middle level education. Through affiliation with the NMSA, ELMLE strives to keep international membership informed about the latest trends and practices in eduction for youth between the ages of 10 and 15. Membership is open to any individual or institution serving the early adolescent child in the Greater European Region, including North Africa and the Middle East. ELMLE is governed by a Steering Committee of nine members elected from its diverse membership comprising of international and Department of Defense Dependents Schools.   What does ELMLE believe? ELMLE and the NMSA believe that: young people going through rapid growth and extensive maturation that occur in early adolescence need an educational program that is distinct from either the elementary or secondary model; no other age level is of more enduring importance because the determinants of one's behavior as an adult, self-concept, learning interests, and values largely are formed in this period of life; existing programs for middle grades youngsters have all too often lacked focus on early adolescent characteristics and needs; and the middle level school program is an educational response to the needs and characteristics of youngsters during adolescence and, as such, delas with the full range of intellectual and developmental needs. What are ELMLE's objectives? As a professional organization, we have delineated the following objectives: to promote unity among middle level educators in overseas schools; to encourage the implementation of middle level concepts to include staff development; to provide leadership in planning and developing middle level education;  to serve as a clearing house resource body for the exchange of ideas; and to sponsor an annual conference for middle level educators.