About the Middle School

About the Middle School

Meet Dr. Jeff Kattan & Mr. Scott Mizikar

Jeff Kattan
Jeff Kattan, Ed.D., has been the middle school principal since 2014. As a proud KO graduate (class of ‘88) his focus has always been on helping middle school students take advantage of the excellent education that is offered at Keystone Oaks.
 
Under his leadership, building resiliency, persistence and grit has become more of a central theme in an effort to build character and lifelong skills in all of the sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. 

Over the past few years, the middle school has been addressing anti-bullying, the culture, and climate of the middle school through the use of School-wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (SWPBIS) and No Place For Hate. These programs have offer opportunities for the students to become involved and lead the rest of the student body. Throughout the school year, students are developing and implement programs within the school to develop relationships that are positive and caring.
 
The middle school counselors have also taking on the task of working with these groups to host “Mix-It-Up” lunches. These lunches create opportunities to meet new friends, play some games, interact, and eat nachos. The middle school is focused on the development of social and emotional skills. 

Mr. Scott MizikarMr. Mizikar was appointed to the position of Middle School Assistant Principal in July 2022. He has worked at Keystone Oaks since 2001, teaching seventh grade geography and eighth grade history. He spent one year as the Dean of Students for the Middle School before transitioning to teach fourth grade at Dormont Elementary School. For the past five years, he has been the principal at Myrtle Avenue Elementary School. 

About Keystone Oaks Middle School

Visitors are welcome! To arrange a tour please contact our administrative offices during normal office hours.

School Overview:
Keystone Oaks Middle School is a three-year comprehensive school for grades six, seven and eight located in suburban Mt. Lebanon, PA, approximately five miles from downtown Pittsburgh. The school first opened its doors in 1995. The school adjoins the district's high school building which allows the schools to share staff and helps ease our students' transition from middle to high school.

Curriculum & Facilities:
Keystone Oaks Middle School recognizes the unique qualities and challenges inherent with making the evolution from childhood to adolescence and then to young adulthood from a physical, intellectual, emotional and social perspective. That's why the primary focus of the middle school remains to help ease the students' transition from elementary to middle school and to help prepare them for high school. KOMS offers a challenging and varied curriculum designed to meet the often wildly fluctuating needs of students of all ability and development levels.

In addition to the core curriculum, middle school students are introduced to the concept of electives whereby they can focus on areas of particular interest to them. For example, students who are interested in the performing arts can join the chorus and/or the performance band. Similarly, 8th grade students who may be interested in studying a foreign language can study French or Spanish. Also, more advanced students will have the opportunity to take accelerated courses in Language Arts/English, Math, Science and U.S. History.

Special Academic Programs:
Keystone Oaks Middle School offers a variety of programs to meet the wide-ranging needs of our students. In addition to the standard curriculum KOMS offers learning, emotional, speech & language support. The school also offers gifted and English as a second language classes as well as a Student Assistance Program (SAP). Further, the school has a mental health therapist available through the Student Assistance Program. 

Extracurricular Organizations at Keystone Oaks:
The middle school offers a wide range of student activities and athletic teams, including:
  • Best Friends Club
  • Environmental Club
  • Intramural Sports
  • Middle School Play
  • Odyssey of the Mind
  • Student Senate
  • Yearbook
  • 7th & 8th grade students may participate in the following sports:
    • Football
    • Wrestling
    • Softball
    • Girls Volleyball
    • Boys & Girls Soccer
    • Boys & Girls Basketball
    • Co-ed Swimming
    • Co-ed Cross Country
    • Co-ed Track & Field
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