Baptist Hill Middle High School provides opportunities for all students to develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate which empowers each graduate to contribute and compete in a global, innovative economy. Our school supports students’ awareness of 21st Century transformation and the importance of their ability to compete in a global society by offering programs and opportunities that foster critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, creativity, media and technology, and life and career skills.
The faculty and staff of Baptist Hill Middle High School are proud of students for their resilience during this year so dramatically affected by COVID-19. The school has followed all district, state, and CDC guidelines with social distancing (including floor dots and one-way passages), wearing masks, and hand washing/sanitizing. Cafeteria seating was spread out and students limited their time in the cafeteria. Testing was provided throughout the school year and when available, vaccines were administered to staff and students quickly. The school served as a community site for vaccinations for members of the community. Students were instructed in-person or virtually through a hybrid model in order to preserve teacher-student relationships- an important component of quality education.
As a community school, Baptist Hill offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes English language arts, world languages, fine arts, math, science, economics, and social sciences. These programs allow all students to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed after high school. All students have access to technology and wireless access in the classroom through one-to-one Chromebook computers. Our ongoing professional development by our in-house instructional coaches helps guide our teachers in the proper use of technology in the classroom to build information and media technology skills. 85% of consumable textbooks are available online to staff and students. Students are challenged to develop critical thinking skills through the academic offerings in Dual Enrollment courses with Trident Technical College, Advanced Placement, AVID, differentiated instructional practices and Personalized Learning.
Twenty-one 8th graders received high school credit for Algebra 1. Eighteen 8th graders received high school credit for English 1. Twenty-six students earned a “C” or above in college-level courses while twenty-nine students successfully completed Dual Enrollment courses. Students also developed key workplace skills such as adaptability, productivity, leadership and responsibility through a variety of Career and Technology Education Pathways. Thirty-one Baptist Hill students qualified as CTE Completers in one or more Career Clusters - Digital Art and Design, Barbering, Business Information Management, Administrative Services, Early Childhood. Sixty-six Microburst Certifications were earned during the 2020-21 school year.
Baptist Hill offers career specialized training in Master Hair Care Specialist, Digital Art and Design, Early Childhood Development, Business Information Management, and Engineering. Our school-based enterprise is used to train students in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and social skills needed in the workplace. Through our school-based enterprise, we are able to offer products and services to students and staff, while partnering with local businesses to design logos and print advertisements. In the area of technology, our middle school students participate in Gateway to Technology, a Project Lead The Way Program designed to engage middle school students in computer science, coding, and robotics. 69% of our seniors and juniors received their WIN Ready to Work Certification and 54 students earned the Essential Soft Skills Credential. Overall, 83% of the graduating class was College and/or Career Ready in accordance with the eligibility criteria.
Our Fine Arts Department offers a course of study in studio art, band, and dance. Students who engage in studio art collaborate and create original pieces which provide cross-cultural experiences. Our students typically compete in local competitions such as the James Island County Park Christmas Card Decorating Contest, the Coastal Carolina Fair Art Show, and in previous years Spoleto Festival. Additional academic competitions included the Middle School participation in the Scripps National Spelling Bee and high school entry into area Robotics Competitions.
Baptist Hill JROTC total enrollment this year was 123 Cadets. The total number of community service hours for the JROTC this year totaled 790 volunteer hours.Seven (7) seniors enlisted into the South Carolina Army National Guard. The Baptist Hill Chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 35 (10th thru 12th) grade students while the Baptist Hill Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society inducted 33 students (6th thru 9th grade).
In order to ensure students develop content knowledge, thinking skills and receive social and emotional support necessary to be effective, productive citizens, teachers receive ongoing professional development and extended practices in Visible Learning, Capturing Kids Hearts, Blended Learning, and Personalized Learning. Each of these initiatives helps to develop the skills and knowledge the students of this community need to succeed in work and life. Each year as a school team, we move closer to realizing the vision of being a comprehensive, high performing community school that nurtures students, supports educators, and serves the community.
Dale Metzger, Interim Principal
Pamela Mungin, SIC Chair
