Buist Academy for Advanced Studies continued our proud tradition of academic excellence in the 2023-2024 school year. The school went through a successful five-year International Baccalaureate reevaluation. The faculty and staff engaged students in world-class instruction. Students reached astounding levels of growth and achievement. Buist Academy is helping all students develop the world-class skills expected of the South Carolina Graduate by nurturing an environment that encourages critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and effective communication.
Collaboration and communication contribute to student and organizational success. The faculty and staff at Buist Academy frequently model collaboration and effective communication practices. They collaborate through a variety of professional learning communities within the school. Teachers meet weekly with the IB Coordinator and instructional coach to plan units, review standards, and reflect on best teaching and learning practices. The master schedule provides common planning time for grade-level teams.
Students find opportunities to collaborate and communicate in the classroom by working with partners and within groups. Grade levels with common standards work together to reinforce and support particular skills or concepts. Student collaboration and communication are encouraged through competitive academic competitions such as Mock Trial, Quiz Bowl, Battle of the Books, and Scripps Spelling Bee.
Efforts were made to improve and build relationships within the school community. Teacher-led clubs continued to provide students with an increased sense of belonging. Clubs were held during the school day. In-school clubs allowed all students the opportunity to participate. Parents took the lead with recreational after-school sports. Students also participated in a variety of team-building activities and field trips throughout the year.
As an International Baccalaureate school, Buist strives to provide students with the knowledge, attributes, and skills to work together. IB communicators express themselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many other ways. They also collaborate effectively and listen carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and groups. IB projects such as the Primary Years Programme (PYP) exhibition and Middle Years Programme (MYP) community service project allow students to work in groups. In the final year of the PYP, students carry out an extended collaborative project known as the PYP exhibition. At the end of eighth grade, the MYP community service project provides an important opportunity for students to collaborate and pursue service learning. Students successfully communicated the outcomes of their projects to parents, teachers, fellow students, and community members.
In order to ensure all students are reading on grade level, Buist Academy offered a variety of instructional support groups during the school day and after school. Intervention times were built into the master schedule for all grade levels. Students received enrichment to support their diverse learning needs.
By modeling collaborative practices and providing students with opportunities for collaboration, we are preparing them with skills to be successful in the future. With the support of faculty, staff, administration, parents, and the community, we will continue to excel academically and provide students with multiple opportunities to establish the world-class skills expected of a South Carolina Graduate.
Shawntay White, Principal
Jill Chandler, SIC Chair
