About Urbana Middle School

Melissa Kearns

Urbana Middle School Principal
(217) 384-3685
mkearns@usd116.org

QUICK LINKS

Welcome from Principal Kearns

Welcome Students, Families, Staff, and Community Stakeholders,

As principal, I am proud to lead a vibrant community where student learning and academic excellence are at the heart of everything we do. Our students consistently demonstrate determination and a drive to succeed—qualities that set the foundation for lifelong success.

With the support of our dedicated staff, engaged families, and a strong school culture, we will cultivate a safe and inspiring environment where every student can reach their full potential.

As a staff, we believe in nurturing not only academic success but also the values of respect, responsibility, and resilience. Whether exploring new ideas, collaborating with peers, or celebrating milestones, our students embody what it means to be learners and leaders. Together, we are building a future of promise and purpose. It’s always a great day to be an Urbana Tiger! I look forward to an amazing year.

Best Regards,

Mrs. Kearns

Urbana Middle School is part of Urbana School District 116 and is firmly committed to the district’s mission of fostering academic excellence and social-emotional growth through high expectations and shared accountability. At UMS, we strive to be a model middle school—one that provides an equitable, engaging, and collaborative learning environment for every student.

Middle school is a critical stage of development, where students experience a rigorous and dynamic curriculum, high-quality instruction, comprehensive support services, and thoughtful organizational structures. At UMS, we deliver on all these fronts. Our curriculum is designed to be relevant, challenging, integrative, and exploratory, ensuring students are both engaged and prepared for future success. We utilize a variety of instructional strategies to meet the diverse needs of our learners and foster inclusive classrooms.

Our assessment and evaluation systems are designed to support meaningful learning and continuous improvement. We prioritize building strong relationships and maintaining a safe, supportive school culture through intentional organizational structures and policies. In addition, we provide robust, school-wide initiatives that promote student health, wellness, and safety. Our comprehensive guidance and support services ensure that every student has access to the resources they need to thrive both academically and personally.

At Urbana Middle School, we are proud to nurture a learning community where all students are challenged, supported, and empowered to succeed.

UMS Mission and Vision

The mission of UMS is to foster academic excellence and social-emotional intelligence built on high expectations and accountability for all.

The vision of UMS is to be a leading middle school that closes the equity gap by providing an equitable, engaging, and collaborative community of learning that prepares students for success in a global society.

Urbana Middle School

1201 S. Vine St.
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 384-3685

Parents

Bell Schedule
Calendar
Student Handbook
Staff Directory
Registration

Staff

AESOP
Technology
Skyward
Human Resources

District

Administration
Board of Education
Student Services