Marrington Middle School of the Arts is dedicated to helping all of our students develop the world-class skills, life, and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. We are committed to ensuring that students reach their fullest potential by providing a safe, caring, and exceptional middle school education while fostering academic and artistic excellence. Marrington Middle School of the Arts is a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School and a 2013 Palmetto’s Finest School. We offer diverse instructional programs that allow our students to grow and distinguish themselves through outstanding academic achievement and refined artistic performances.
During the 2017-18 school year, we were able to offer our students excellent opportunities to further their educational experience in the arts as we hosted a variety of artists-in-residence. A cross section of our fine arts students learned from members of the Flowertown Players, our art students worked with Vickie Hickman, BCSD Visual Arts Coordinator, our dancers studied with Jamal Tisdale, our chorus students collaborated with Laura Ball, and our band students worked with James “JT” Rollerson, James Cannon, and Edna Grace. The guidance and lessons these experts shared inspired each group of students. Throughout the year, artists from Engaging Creative Minds visited our campus. These talented individuals provided access to standards-based curriculum by utilizing STEM and the arts. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience, and all students were able to have at least one ECM experience in an academic class. Additionally, our entire campus enjoyed the musical artistry and talent of Charlton Singleton Quartet. This incredible jazz group provided a concert for our student body and also allowed for a question/answer time after the performance. In the spring of 2018, our culminating artistic endeavor was the musical Xanadu, Jr. Proudly, about 65% of our student body participated in the musical either on stage or behind the scenes. It was a fantastic success!
In addition to our artistic guests, we had the opportunity to host individuals who provided academic enrichment for our student body. Colonel Craig Lambert, USAF Commander in the 628th Medical Group, shared his experiences and his pride for our country at our annual Veterans Day Assembly. In conjunction with our observance of Black History Month in February, we had a exceptional assembly featuring our own Marrington Steppers and an African drumming ensemble. Mr. Jamal Tisdale concluded the assembly by taking the audience through the history of dance. We also had the privilege of hosting Joe Engel, a Holocaust survivor. Mr. Engel spoke to our 7th grade students and his message left a profound impact on those in attendance. This year MMSOA was thrilled to welcome a career specialist, Jessica Galati, to our campus. Mrs. Galati collaborated endlessly with our guidance department and staff to provide a myriad of experiences for our students to explore careers through field trips, lunch-n-learn sessions, a Career Day, and a Job Shadowing Day. At the end of the year, she arranged for Cyrus Birch, an actor from the successful Black Panther film came to speak, motivate, and encourage our students.
While testing data does not always reflect a holistic picture of a school, we are very proud of our students’ achievements on state tests. Our students scored above both the state and district averages on every test in every subject this year. Our faculty looks forward to continuing this growth so that all students meet our academic standards and goals. We were also proud to recognize 4 of our 7th graders as Duke TIP students as a result of their SAT/ACT scores and 21 of our 8th graders as Junior Scholars as a result of their PSAT scores.
In order to make these superb opportunities available to our students and continue our achievement levels, we understand and appreciate that we must have the support and participation of parent and community volunteers; therefore, our PTSO is an integral part of our school. The PTSO’s vision is to encourage student and teacher morale by coordinating school dances, fundraisers, periodic duty-free lunches, and PSAT Scholarships. PTSO members continually enhance life at Marrington Middle and support teachers in their day-to-day instructional endeavors.
Marrington Middle School of the Arts faculty, staff, students, and parents are proud of our accomplishments and are poised to continue striving for academic and artistic excellence while fostering student growth and critical thinking skills that will propel our students into the future.
Dara Harrop, Principal, Andrew Miller, SIC Chairperson
