Every school year each of our schools work hard to improve student performance and maintain progress. Our school district is helping all students develop world class skills by using data analysis and individual student growth to drive decisions in order to have every graduate college and career ready.
Latta Elementary School with its Montessori program offers parents a unique program choice verses the traditional approach. There is a school-wide focus on enhanced instruction in critical thinking and problem solving using the districts four key components of instruction: High Progress Literacy, Problem Solving Mathematics, Thinking Maps, and Write from the Beginning and Beyond. The goal at Latta Elementary School is to have every student working on grade level before entering middle school.
Latta Middle School continues to provide opportunities for students to earn high school credits in a number of courses. The STEAM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) continues to be a great success and will continue to expand each school year. Project Based Learning and additional exciting technology and robotics related courses continue to grow in all subject areas. With this focus, Latta Middle School is offering its incoming 5th grade students and parents a choice of three Program Pathways as recommended by their 4th grade teachers based on mastery of standards, motivation skills, independent work ethic, organization ability, and time management understanding. The three pathways are International Baccalaureate (IB) Ready, College Ready, and Career Ready with the differences in each pathway being rigor, pace of instruction, application of learning, and career concentration. The belief is that students should not wait until they reach high school to begin thinking about their pathway to a successful future.
Latta High School maintains their tradition of excellence as well. The number of students participating in International Baccalaureate courses continues to grow. The total number of graduates each year in this program has a goal to be 40% of the class. Latta High was once again recognized and ranked nationally as one of U.S. News & World Report's Best High Schools. Many students gained valuable insight and experiences through student internships and job shadowing opportunities that further help them make decisions about career interests. Another vital focus at Latta High continues to be on college and career readiness with an emphasis on offering more college dual credit options to all students. Latta High School is becoming the leader in the Pee Dee of South Carolina in striving to meet the demands of local business and industry work force needs. The success of Latta High School’s activities and sports is constant, and Latta High School is always one of the favorites to challenge for a state championship.
The Latta School district works diligently to provide the necessary resources to help its schools be successful in all programs. Our goal is to provide an extended family support system for all of our students by maintaining a safe, supportive and challenging environment for our staff and students.
Dr. John M. Kirby, Jr. Superintendent
