Lakeside Middle School empowers all students to develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by fostering a sense of community through Crew, providing rigorous curriculum, offering extracurricular activities and prioritizing focused professional development for staff. As we conclude our second year on this journey, LMS is a thriving learning community where students are achieving success in many different ways. Our collaboration with students, families and staff has established a strong foundation and fostered the essential conditions for a remarkable school that will serve our community for generations.
This year, we made a concerted effort to create a “math culture” within every classroom. By focusing on mathematics instruction and enhancing students’ mindsets towards math, we aimed to boost both their skills and self-efficacy. Schoolwide grappling opportunities allowed us to engage students with open-ended problems, encouraging them to explore various solution pathways and collaborate with peers. This approach has fostered resilience and confidence, which are crucial for academic and real-world success.
Our staff at LMS has been diligently crafting powerful learning experiences tailored to our students' needs. Through meticulous planning and the implementation of high-leverage instructional practices, we have designed relevant and meaningful case studies that allow students to engage with primary resources and practice literacy skills such as reading, writing, speaking, listening and vocabulary development. These experiences have deepened their understanding of state standards and helped them make real-world connections.
Student voices continue to take center stage at LMS as we implement and live out the South Carolina Graduate Profile. This year, student-led conferences allowed students to take control of their learning narratives, showcasing their progress and setting future goals. Additionally, eighth grade students prepared for Passage presentations, reflecting on their middle school journey and demonstrating growth through our Habits of Success. These initiatives celebrate student achievements and provide platforms for self-reflection and goal-setting.
Our success extends beyond the classroom walls. Raider Athletics has made a significant impact on the Lex10 Athletic Conference this school year by fielding highly competitive teams across all sports. In the fall sports season, our volleyball team narrowly missed a perfect season, reaching the Lex10 championship game. During the winter sports season, both our boys and girls teams performed admirably, finishing near the top of the standings. Although we fell short in the conference tournament, our basketball team shows promise for future success. LMS Athletics not only enriches our school community, it also demonstrates remarkable competitiveness among its peers.
The Fine Arts department has continued to shine, with our orchestra receiving “Excellent” ratings and our band earning “Superior” ratings. Our musical theater production of Aladdin showcased the incredible talents of our students, delighting the community. Additionally, our growing agricultural program has been a source of pride, involving students in activities such as growing and harvesting produce, environmental conservation, and animal caregiving. The program culminated in a successful Agriscience Fair, with several projects advancing to national competition.
As we conclude the 2023–2024 school year, LMS stands as a testament to the power of a dedicated community working together to create an exceptional educational experience. With a solid foundation in place, we are excited to continue our journey of educational excellence, benefiting our community for generations to come.
Casey Calhoun, Principal
XXXXXX, SIC Chair
