St. Andrew’s School of Math and Science (SASMS) is helping all students develop the World-Class Skills and Life and Career Characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate through shared decision making, a positive learning environment and high expectations. With the addition of the partial magnet program, our vision, mission and purpose realigned to not only support our science and math focus but it also drew closer to the district’s focus of developing a South Carolina graduate who possesses world-class knowledge, skills and life characteristics. Our vision supports our inclusiveness of the entire family: “We believe that education is a triangle of three partners who are equally responsible for a child’s education: the child, the parents, and the school.” Our Mission aligns very closely with the overall district focus, to “...prepare students to become confident, competent and responsible and self-motivated 21st Century learners by providing an environment where students think critically and creatively, communicate clearly, and respect individual differences, rights, and responsibilities.” Each day our students recite a Creed that serves as a daily reminder of our goals that we strive for: “I accept the opportunity to grow and learn all that I can today. ...responsible for my works and my actions….respect the rights and feelings of others...pledge to be kind and helpful to my classmates, friends and teachers….dedicate myself to becoming the best that I can be.”
We attain strong academic results through effective instruction from highly qualified teachers on a daily basis. Our teachers are always seeking to learn new and effective strategies to use data to guide the instruction in the classroom. Small-group guided reading, cross curricular lessons, and the workshop model drive our literacy initiative. We continue to focus on the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) practices in our instruction to provide opportunities that promote collaboration and critical thinking. Students work together closely to design, construct, and revise products throughout many facets of their learning experiences. In 2018-2019, collaboration reached within the community as well, through various projects such as volunteer partnerships that provided reading support for students, Be A Mentor, and trebuchet team sponsors. SASMS saw a fourteen-point increase in our math targets and a five-point increase in our reading targets, as measured by the MAP assessments for grades 2-5. iPad class sets have proven to be another strategic tool that guides the development of our students. Our first through fifth grade students who need intervention in reading and/or math receive additional instruction during the school day. Students involved in these interventions have demonstrated positive gains.
Students at SASMS have an opportunity to participate in events that reinforce the development of the whole child. We have a trend-setting PBIS plan that focuses on the positive achievements of our students through Positive Proclamations, Behavior Bucks and nine-week recognitions. A new initiative through PBIS is our Kind Is A New Cool program reaching students CD – 5th grade. Academic competitions such as Math Bowl 2.0, Battle of the Books, Science Night, and Trebuchet build teamwork and group problem-solving skills. Clubs such as Tennis Team, Coding Club, Chorus, and the Track Team make a strong mind-body connection.
At SASMS our vision contains a strong bond between our students, teachers, and parents. Working together collaboratively, our School Improvement Council (SIC) and Parent Teacher Association (PTA) support our children, teachers, and staff. Both groups provide supplies, guidance, and opportunities to develop our future South Carolina Graduates.
Amy Cario, Principal
Jamye Hurteau, SIC Co-Chair
Louis Tick, SIC Co-Chair
