Address: 6072 State Farm Rd.,
Guilderland, NY 12084
Phone: (518) 456-6010
Fax: (518) 456-3747
Farnsworth Middle School is located in Guilderland, New York, just west of
Albany. The student population is approximately 1200 representing grades six
through eight. Students are divided into teams located in three houses
(sections): Hiawatha, Seneca, and Tawasentha. The school contains a
TV studio where the national and school news is broadcast into classrooms
every morning. Farnsworth also boasts a planetarium, two greenhouses, and a
Project Adventure course. We also are involved in preserving the Pine Bush
and the Karner Blue butterfly.
View Farnsworth's most recent New York State School Report Card
Meet our building administrators
• Principal, Mary K. Summermatter, 518-456-6010, ext. 3010
• Hiawatha House Principal, William Aube, 518-456-6010, ext. 3041
• Seneca House Principal, Amy Tubbs, 518-456-6010, ext. 3060
• Tawasentha House Principal, Michael Pipa, 518-456-6010, ext. 3048
Opening and dismissal times
Please visit our Transportation pages
Farnsworth Middle School Philosophy Statement
Farnsworth Middle School is an exciting learning community: thoughtful,
stimulating, reflective, engaging, and engaged. The staff balances
challenging goals with its understanding of the unique intellectual, social,
emotional, and physical needs of 11-14 year olds. In partnership with
families and the community, we support and nurture students in their
development of a love for learning, strong habits of the mind and body, a
commitment to high academic standards, and appreciation for the arts, an
understanding of democratic principles, respect for self and others, and
responsibility for their actions.
All members of school community are continually involved in the active
process of learning. Our heterogeneous learning environment supports
exploration, risk-taking, and experimenting with new skills and ideas. We
function as teachers, coaches, mentors, advisors, and guides. We expect that
all students learn and achieve to their fullest potential.
Houses and teaming are integral parts of our middle school. They ensure that
students are known well, and that attention is given to each student, both
individually and as a member of a group. Teams ensure that students will
have experiences that encourage them to understand, appreciate, and connect
the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge. The team structure fosters
greater communication among staff members leading to increased awareness of
and attention to individual student needs. This structure also builds
connections and a sense of belonging for both students and staff.
Collaboration and learning with and from each other are important
educational components.
Farnsworth Middle School students successfully make the transition from
elementary to high school. All students use their minds well, think
critically and creatively, make informed and reasoned judgments, produce and
invent, critique and analyze, develop personal responsibility and concern
for others, and move toward greater independence as learners.
*New*
View our Farns-Words (PDF), which are posted throughout the school building.