Woodruff Middle School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a positive, innovative, and nurturing school environment in which students achieve academic success and evolve into life-long learners. WMS believes that student achievement is attained through high expectations, academic rigor, and a solid work ethic. Because of this belief, WMS Cubs are consistently striving to be “On the P.R.O.W. L.” or to be Prepared, Responsible, Outstanding, Wolverine, Leaders. This theme has not only been embraced by students but by faculty members, parents, and a close knit community that dedicate themselves daily to the bright and emergent futures of our students. The students at WMS benefit from instructional rigor, an emphasis on career development, and extracurricular activities that encourage interpersonal skills.
Woodruff Middle School has a strong academic core that is driven by scholastic rigor, inquiry, and project based learning. This is evidenced in our students’ achievements and accomplishments. 100% of our students passed the End of Course examination in Algebra I and English I. 15 eighth grade students were identified as Junior Scholars. 18 seventh grade students qualified for the Duke Talent Identification Program and successfully completed the program. 81 students were inducted into the National Junior Beta Club. 199 students were recognized at an Academic Awards Ceremony in the spring for maintaining an A or A/B average for the year. 160 student writers were recognized in our Writer’s Showcase for excellence in writing. 10 students participated in a school-wide Geography Bee. 1 of those 10 students qualified to participate in the South Carolina National Geographic Society Geography Bee. 25 students participated in the school-wide Spelling Bee. Our school winner successfully competed in the Spartanburg Herald Journal Regional Spelling Bee.
At WMS, students engage in interactive, real world programs by taking a career assessment test in which they study career paths and research colleges. Students utilize career interest inventories to aid in directing their investigation of career choices. These enriched inquiries culminate into eighth grade field trips in which students participate in our "WMS Goes to College" program. This program provides our students with authentic "on campus" experiences. This year, our eighth grade students toured the campuses of Spartanburg Community College and USC-Upstate. They also toured RD Anderson Vocational Center. Our seventh grade students were given the opportunity to tour the campus of Clemson University. WMS also collaborates with community businesses by inviting speakers into classrooms that provide insight into specific careers. Every year our Real Men Read club hosts businessmen, law officers, and coaches as special guest speakers. Each year, our science classes host speakers from the Spartanburg Humane Society as well as local meteorologists. WMS continues to explore new paths in technology. Keyboarding, word processing, and training in multi-media resources enhance our school's daily curriculum and aid in further developing the world class skills needed for a career path.
A multitude of extracurricular opportunities allow for interpersonal and character skill development. These are the traits that enable students to work productively as individuals as well as contribute positively to teams. They provide our students with incentives and opportunities to apply real-world communication, team building, and critical thinking and problem solving skills to their daily lives. 125 students were recognized as Cubs of the Month for possessing good character traits. 24 young men participated monthly in Real Men Read. 28 girls participated in ENGAGE (Enabling Girls with Academics, Good behavior, and Encouragement). 45 students participated in Lego Club and their engineering skills were displayed in the media center throughout the school year. 48 students participated in Cub Club activities that promoted school spirit. 12 students participated in Cubs Create where they utilized technology and other media to complete service projects for the school. Cubs Create also joined forces with our Junior Beta Club and Student Council members to gather money for Hurricane Harvey Relief. A total of $1, 655. Our 12 student council members also cooked and served meals in the local soup kitchen. 22 students joined the yearbook club and helped to create a fantastic school yearbook for the 2017-18 year.
Woodruff Middle School also provides opportunities for students both in the arts and on the athletic fields. 27 students participated in Gifted Art. 21 of these students had works on display for the Diana Olencki Secondary Art Show at the Woodruff Branch Library in May. 15 students had works on display in the community. 8 students had works on display at Westgate Mall in November. 4 students had works on display at the Chapman Cultural Center for Youth Art Month and 8 students had works on display at the Chapman Cultural Center for a September School Art Viewing. 17 students had works on display at the University of South Carolina-Upstate in the FOCUS gallery. 89 students participated in the WMS band.8 students participated in Gifted Music and 18 of our middle school students participated in the Woodruff High School Marching Band. WMS Chorus received an Excellent rating at the Carowinds Choral Festival. Woodruff Middle School’s 8 athletic teams provided 272 middle schoolers opportunities to participate in sports. 21 student athletes were named Edward Jones Athlete of the Week. 12 student athletes were named All Conference, and 88% of our athletes were named All Academic. Our Girls’ basketball team won both the division 1 Foothills Regular Season Championship and the overall Tournament Championship for the fifth year in a row.
WMS is officially "over the hill" as we celebrated our 50th anniversary this year with guest speakers who were former students. Our students interviewed these speakers and wrote essays entitled, "That was then, this is now". WMS will begin its 51st year with a new principal, Mr. Scott Lawson. We look forward to a successful 2018-19 school year.
