At Wallace Elementary Middle School (WEMS), our priority is to help every scholar cultivate the high-level skills and life and career attributes outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. We achieve this by focusing on the four C’s: Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity. The dedicated staff at WEMS is unwavering in its commitment to providing a top-quality education and empowering every scholar to reach their full potential. We aim to equip scholars with the tools they need to be continual learners and valuable contributors to a global community.
Wallace Elementary Middle School scholars benefit from a high-quality learning environment. Every classroom has SMART devices and Chromebooks, ensuring technology is seamlessly integrated into daily instruction. The Marlboro County School District and Wallace Elementary Middle School have achieved a one-to-one ratio of Chromebook devices for all Kindergarten to Eighth-grade scholars, empowering them to sharpen their critical thinking skills through personalized learning and STEM-related programs. Additionally, we have several Google Educator-certified teachers, and the school features two computer labs that teachers use to enrich instruction and promote success.
Collaboration among various stakeholders involves our local 4-H organization, the South Carolina Farm Bureau Agriculture Lab, and the Project Lead the Way Initiative. We aim to integrate the STEM curriculum and resources into our educational programs and offer teachers professional development opportunities in STEM education. Within our 21st Century After-School Program, scholars practice critical thinking skills and engage in collaborative and creative STEM-related activities and reading and math exercises. Scholars were exposed to financial literacy through a partnership with First Bank in Cheraw.
Throughout the 2023-2024 school year, Wallace Elementary Middle School organized parenting workshops focusing on literacy and math, technology, healthy eating, PowerSchool navigation, stress management, and effective study habits for home-based learning. These workshops align with WEMS's commitment to maintaining and communicating high expectations for learning and shared values and beliefs about teaching and learning.
At WEMS, scholars can express their creativity, which is evident throughout the building, through enriched art classes, which is evident throughout the building. Additionally, scholars can participate in the Middle School band program to explore music. Integrating STEM and literacy has led to engaging projects and authentic learning experiences, enriching and enhancing the scholar's education.
At WEMS, we prioritize college and career awareness for our scholars. Scholars participated in a career day, where they learned about the current work landscape. Our dedicated on-site Global Career Development Facilitator and School Counselor offer career interest assessments and information on different colleges and careers and supports scholars and families in planning their future occupations.
Our school is home to the active Junior Beta Club, Student Government, Girls With P.E.A.R.L.S, and KINGS Club. During the 2023-2024 school year, our Student Government organized a food drive to support families in need, the P.E.A.R.L.S. donated blessing bags to nursing homes, and BETA club scholars demonstrated leadership within the school. Additionally, our scholars and staff collaborated on a project in which they collected over 1500 non-perishable items.
During each nine-week grading period, scholars at WEMS are acknowledged for their academic achievements, attendance, and character. Recognition for displaying positive character traits is awarded based on monthly traits. We are proud to have many scholars selected as District Character Education of the Month for their exceptional character and leadership qualities.
During the academic year, eighth-grade scholars at Wallace Elementary Middle School could enroll in high school-level courses such as Algebra I and English I. In addition to academic pursuits, the school provided a range of extracurricular activities for middle school scholars, including academic challenge team, football, boys' and girls' basketball, baseball, and softball.
According to the results of our administration of NWEA MAP tests in reading and math, we observed improvement in our scholars from the start to the end of the year. Additionally, grades K-5 demonstrated progress in MAP Reading Fluency assessment data. We are committed to leveraging our strengths and adopting best practices to support ongoing enhancement. Scholars also participated in SC Ready testing in grades three through eight.
Dr. Sheila O'Neil-Brown, Principal
Mandy Shaw, SIC Chairperson
