It's a Great Day to be at Cooper Middle School!

10 Reasons the Cooper Cougars Stand Out

Cooper Middle School offers a dynamic learning environment that balances academic excellence with personal growth. Known for its engaged student body and strong academic programs, Cooper provides a wide array of extracurricular opportunities, including sports, music, and clubs, to promote well-rounded development. The school is committed to creating a positive, inclusive atmosphere and equipping students with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in high school and beyond.

Building Renovation

Cooper Middle School’s highly anticipated renovation, identified through the 2009 Renovation Queue, is set to transform the campus into a 179,000-square-foot modern learning space. Funded by the 2015 and 2019 bonds, the project will introduce state-of-the-art amenities, new classrooms, an updated library, and administrative offices. Additional site improvements, including enhanced parking and the removal of modular units, will ensure a streamlined and welcoming environment for students and staff.

Purple Star Award for the 2024-2025 School Year

Cooper Middle School is honored to receive the Purple Star Award for the 2024-2025 school year, recognizing our commitment to supporting military-connected students. This distinction highlights our dedication to ensuring every student thrives, no matter their journey.

Advanced Academics Full-Time 

Cooper Middle offers advanced academic services through our Advanced Academics Full-Time program, providing gifted learners with challenging, differentiated instruction tailored to their unique needs. This program fosters critical thinking, creativity, and intellectual growth, ensuring that every student reaches their full potential. 

Student Ambassador Program

Our Student Ambassador Program empowers students to become leaders and role models, fostering a welcoming environment for all. Ambassadors guide new students and represent Cooper Middle School with pride in various school and community events.

Cooper's Band Progam

The Cooper Band program features 230 amazing students in three concert ensembles and a percussion ensemble. The Cooper Band has performed at the VMEA Conference and was the first Virginia middle school band to perform at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in 2019 and now again in 2025. Last year they were featured in three sessions at the 77th Midwest International Band Clinic in Chicago including the Rehearsal Lab with Corey Graves, MakeMusic session with Brian Balmages, and Demo band for Randall Standridge Publishing. Additionally, the percussion ensemble was featured in NASA’s Artemis I launch video, recognized later by a visit from an astronaut to Cooper! 

Robust Middle School After School Program

Cooper Middle School continues to shine as a center of achievement, showcasing student excellence in academics, athletics, arts, and leadership. Our standout athlete, Abby Pickard, led our cross-country team to remarkable success, earning top honors at the FCPS championships. Meanwhile, our academic teams, such as the Quiz Bowl and Model UN, have achieved outstanding victories, including first-place finishes at regional and national competitions. The Cooper Debate Team demonstrated exceptional skill, earning numerous accolades in their latest tournaments.

Our students also excel in STEM through Science Olympiad, earning medals at prestigious national competitions, and in the arts, with captivating performances like the school production of Elsewhere. From fostering athletic prowess to celebrating academic brilliance, Cooper Middle School inspires its students to aim high, work hard, and make a difference. Learn more about our successes.

Performing Arts and Music Programs

With a strong SCA, our students are service driven, always finding ways to give back to our community through food drives or expanding their impact through hurricane relief efforts, earthquake relief, or gaining approval to sell homemade items in support of those in need. We support a “sister school” with an annual coat drive, book drive and holiday gifting to younger students.

CNN (Cooper News Now) 

CNN (Cooper News Now) is the student-run news show where creativity and collaboration come to life, giving students hands-on experience in broadcasting. From writing scripts to producing segments, CNN empowers students to share stories that inform and inspire the Cooper Middle School community.

Yearbook

Cooper’s yearbook programs has consistently been featured in the Varsity Yearbook “best-of” publication, Portfolio, which showcases best-in-class yearbook work from students across North America. Last year, the 29th edition of Portfolio features exemplary, creative, and innovative work by yearbook staffs from coast to coast and beyond. Of the thousands of yearbooks printed by Varsity Yearbook, only a little over 600 schools were chosen for inclusion. Judged by industry experts on various design and storytelling elements — from themes and covers to features and photography — the staffs highlighted truly epitomize the originality and creativity that came from yearbook classrooms in 2023. Cooper’s 2024 book was only one of a few middle schools in the nation also given the showcase award, which prints extra copies of the best yearbooks to use as examples across the country. 

https://precollege.sps.columbia.edu/news/cspa-2025-crown-awards-finalists-yearbook (Just announced!)

Our Teachers Are Noticed

We are currently in year three of our school-wide PBIS program which promotes the Cooper Culture focused on Respect, Responsibility, and Safety.  

All students are assigned to a color team through their Advisory.  Color team points can be earned through individually exemplifying elements of the Cooper Culture, as an Advisory for participating in team-building activities, or as an entire team.  Advisories engage in team competitions to win the Color Team award each month.  Additionally, students earn individual points and students are selected for Student of the Month.

Cooper Middle School is more than just a place of learning; it's a community where young minds are nurtured, and spirits are uplifted. Join us on this journey of discovery and growth.