Bates Middle School is an AVID and a nationally accredited STEM school that strives to build lasting relationships and rapport among faculty/staff, students, parents, and community stakeholders in order to create a positive climate and culture. Our instructional focal points include professionalism, clear and concise communication, effective collaboration, growth mindset, and student engagement and achievement. Bates Middle School is committed to student success and follows the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate to help students develop World Class Skills as we impart World Class Knowledge for a quality education. To achieve this, we implement rigorous standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics for college and career readiness and provide effective instructional strategies in Spanish, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Arts, and Social Studies.
As a nationally certified STEM school, our teachers and students work to apply the instructional tenets of Project Based Learning (PBL)/STEM in solving real-word problems. Students engage in fully integrated inquiry-based instruction during core subject and elective classroom time, independently finding solutions to problems with teachers serving as facilitators. The PBL/STEM units are student-centered and provide students the opportunity to work independently and cooperatively while identifying core problems in various scenarios, conducting research on causes and possible solutions, and implementing solution design and testing. Through this independent work, student understanding of subjects increases throughout the curriculum. As facilitators, teachers help guide the research and solution design process. While doing this, they reiterate and encourage student practice of the soft skills employers desire that are so necessary for survival in this modern society. Through their involvement in PBL/STEM, our students reap the benefits of learning skills both directly and indirectly, which will serve them well in the globally oriented world we live in today. We also offer Project Lead The Way (PLTW) courses, which include Medical Detectives, Forensics, Flight & Space, and Automation & Robotics. We supplement this with Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) methodologies to include organization skills, focused note-taking, and the implementation of a variety of WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) strategies.
Furthermore, we provide additional programs and opportunities to support the development of World Class Skills. We understand the importance of equipping our students with essential life and career skills. Bates Middle School offers career exploration opportunities, mentorships, and counseling services to help students identify their interests and develop plans for their future. To prepare students for real-world challenges, our students have the opportunity to enroll in digital literacy, financial literacy, and computer applications via the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department. Additionally, our performing arts department consists of band, orchestra, and chorus, and these programs nurture the artistic and musical talents of our students.
At Bates Middle School, we believe in educating the whole child and providing a learning environment that is safe, positive, and engaging while promoting student success and achievement. We are committed to empowering our students to excel and grow academically and individually.
Mrs. Nicole Fuller, Principal
