The 2024-2025 school year at E.L. Wright Middle School has been marked by a variety of initiatives and improvements aimed at enhancing the educational experience for our students, fostering a stronger connection with the community, and creating a positive school environment. As the new principal, I am pleased to report on the progress we have made in key areas of focus this year, as well as our continued efforts to ensure academic and behavioral success for all students.
One of the key areas of focus this year was improving and increasing communication between the school and the broader community, including parents. To that end, we implemented several strategies, including regular newsletters and updates via ParentSquare and social media platforms; increased use of parent-teacher conferences and family engagement events; and enhanced digital communication tools to track student progress. These efforts ensured that parents remained both informed and actively involved in their child’s academic and personal growth.
This year, the school embraced the theme “Wolf Pack Unity; Celebrating Our Wins and Supporting Our Growth.” We proudly celebrated the accomplishments of our students and staff across academics, athletics, and the arts. Notably, 23 students were named Junior Scholars, and 114 students participated in the PSAT—an impressive increase from the previous year’s 10 scholars and 85 test-takers. The Leadership Academy at Wright (LAW) was honored with the prestigious National Merit Award of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America. In fine arts, the ELW Orchestra earned the SCMEA Outstanding Performance Award (Junior Gold) and achieved a Superior with Distinction rating in concert performance, while our Band was recognized with an Excellent rating from the SCMEA, and our ELW Chorus had a strong performance at the Carowinds Festival of Music. Our athletic teams also shone, with the ELW Football team earning the title of Runner-up in the Richland Two Football Championship.
In addition to academic and extracurricular achievements, we held quarterly Wolf Pack Excellence ceremonies to honor students who earned All A’s and A/B Honor Roll, as well as those nominated by teachers for demonstrating the "Wright Stuff"—character traits such as preparation, accountability, cooperation, and kindness. We recognized 41 students, 12 teachers, and 12 support staff members as P.A.C.K. Wolves of the Week; celebrated 10 teachers as ELW Tireless Teachers of the Month; and honored four classified staff members and four administrators as Stellar Support Staff and Awesome Administrators of the Month, respectively. These recognitions embody our commitment to cultivating a culture of achievement and appreciation.
Ensuring a safe learning environment remained a top priority. This year, significant efforts were made to improve school safety through an increased presence of staff during transitions, the implementation of a new visitor check-in system, and regular safety drills. These measures, paired with the development of strong student-staff relationships, fostered an environment of security and trust.
We are proud to report a substantial decrease in student discipline issues and suspensions. First semester data show a 41% reduction in office referrals, a 21% decrease in out-of-school suspensions, and a 55% drop in referrals for expulsion compared to the previous year. These outcomes are a testament to our proactive behavioral strategies, which include consistent behavioral expectations, restorative practices, and expanded counseling services. By emphasizing support and accountability, we created a climate that nurtures both academic and personal growth.
Central to our school culture is the P.A.C.K. framework—Prepared, Accountable, Cooperative, and Kind. These core values were consistently reinforced throughout the year through classroom instruction, school-wide programs, and extracurricular activities. Recognition systems, leadership opportunities, and service-learning projects all served to elevate and promote these expectations. As a result, we saw stronger peer relationships, improved behavior, and heightened engagement in learning.
To further support safety and order, we introduced new operational structures across the school. These included more structured hallway and classroom transitions, clear behavior guidelines during lunch and recess, and tighter staff collaboration. Together, these measures contributed to a more organized and respectful school environment where students and teachers could thrive.
In conclusion, the 2024-2025 school year at E.L. Wright Middle School has been one of excellence, growth, and community. Through intentional communication, recognition of success, a strong emphasis on safety and behavioral expectations, and the continual reinforcement of our P.A.C.K. values, we have cultivated a dynamic and nurturing environment for all. As we look ahead, we remain committed to building on this momentum and partnering with families and the community to provide every student with the opportunity to excel academically, socially, and emotionally.
Scott N Floyd, Ed. D.
Principal
