Our school is helping all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by fostering a culture that promotes and supports collaboration, communication and critical thinking. It is imperative that we prepare our students for the world stage. With that in mind, our faculty and staff takes pride in developing the whole child and addressing those soft skills that are important to success beyond high school. Our PBIS initiative was established on the premise of always displaying Griffin P.R.I.D.E.: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence. Our teachers collaborated to develop expectations for classroom behavior, as well as other areas throughout the school campus. Our students were introduced to the characteristics and importance of Griffin P.R.I.D.E. through our bi-monthly homeroom sessions known as P.R.I.D.E. Time. During this time, teachers clearly communicated the expectations for our students. Students were able to provide feedback and additional ways to demonstrate Griffin P.R.I.D.E. Often the activities presented during P.R.I.D.E. time, promote both communication and collaboration among the students. Not only should our students be able to communicate effectively in the academic setting, they should also be able to communicate during standard day-to-day activities. Our P.R.I.D.E. time activities are designed to build character while providing the opportunity for communication and collaboration.
Critical thinking is a fundamental skill that supports our motto of “Quality Teaching and Learning, Every Day for Every Student”. To support and enhance teacher’s toolbox, our professional development has focused heavily on engagement in the classroom. PD has been rooted on researching and implementing strategies to have students truly engaged in learning and to utilize critical thinking skills to delve deeper into the coursework. Collaboration and communication have been integral components of understanding the importance of critical thinking. Teachers have worked in departments to share ideas, lessons, assessments, and strategies that will promote critical thinking. One of our school’s most successful initiatives has been the school-wide “Hands On Learning Day”. For “Hands On Learning Day”, teachers create lessons that showcase students’ critical thinking skills through various engaging activities. Students are utilizing their critical thinking skills to perform at the highest levels of Bloom’s taxonomy. Not only are our students being challenged to think critically, our teachers are being challenged to utilize their critical thinking skills to examine the content standards and evaluate the effectiveness of classroom instruction. Utilizing cross curricular data meetings to discuss student achievement has provided teachers with an opportunity to dissect individual and school data. The collaborative nature of the data meetings prompts our teachers to critically think about the impact classroom instruction has on the achievement of the student.
One cannot deny the pure raw talent of our students! Creativity is a hallmark in the actions and success of our students at Fairfield Central High School that is often recognized and displayed through athletics and the fine arts. Academically, our students continue to reach new heights and create avenues to display their creative academic talents. At the culmination of the 2017-2018 school year, Fairfield Central High School had its first group of students graduate with an Associates Degree from Midlands Technical College prior to receiving their high school diplomas. The creativity, innovation, communication, and collaboration required to complete college courses while in high school are skills that epitomize the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. The success of these students has motivated other students to request unique, innovative scheduling options that will allow them to pursue and reap the benefits of the course offerings at Fairfield Central High School, the Career and Technology Center, and Midlands Technical College. The number of students enrolled in dual credit classes has increased significantly within the past two years and we anticipate the demand to meet their creative academic needs.
Listed below are some of the accomplishments from the Class of 2018:
- Over 80% of the students of the class of 2018 were accepted to a 2 or 4-year college or university to include but not limited to: Furman University, Clemson University, University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Clark Atlanta University, College of Charleston, Charleston Southern University, Francis Marion University, Midlands Technical College, North Carolina A & T, Newberry College, Wofford College, Columbia College, South Carolina State University, and Claflin University.
- Over $13.4 million dollars in scholarships and financial assistance.
- 4 graduates enlisted in the Armed Forces.
- 7 student-athletes signed athletic scholarships to participate in collegiate athletics while pursuing post-secondary degrees.
- 5 Palmetto Fellows recipients
As members of our National Beta Club, National Honor Society and Academic Challenge Teams, students continued to have the opportunity to collaborate with students from around the state, nation, and even other countries. Members of the National Beta Club competed nationally in the areas of Speech, Robotics, Mathematics, and Show Choir. Our Early College Academy Students of Cohort 2 had the opportunity to study abroad in Spain. These students spent 10 days learning about the Spanish Culture, advancements in Science and Technology, and historical lessons. Our students continued to excel in athletics, clubs, and organizations, with our clubs and organizations increasing membership exponentially. Our Varsity Football Team and Girls Basketball Team were the Region IV-AAA Champions for the second year in a row, with the cross-country, tennis, wrestling, softball, track, soccer and baseball all qualifying for playoff participation. Fairfield Central High School strives to equip all students with world-class knowledge and skills while ensuring they leave high school college and/or career ready.
Mrs. Tracie Swilley, Principal Mrs. Tonya Green, SIC Chair
