Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy has established a tradition of helping all students develop the World-Class Knowledge and Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. By focusing on an educational program centered on students’ academic, social, and emotional growth, Busbee Creative Arts Academy provides support for the whole child while offering an exceptional middle school experience. Busbee teachers and staff work in collaborative teams on all aspects of content, curriculum, and social-emotional support. The school also embraces instructional technology and an arts-infused curriculum, creating an interactive learning environment for students.
Busbee received an initial National School to Watch designation in 2021 and a re-designation in the spring of 2024. Schools to Watch are recognized for having strong organizational structures and processes, as well as being academically excellent, developmentally responsive, and socially equitable.
Continuing our focus on arts and STEAM, Busbee Creative Arts Academy helps students develop skills in critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. It also allows for collaboration with peers to complete various projects and activities, and participate in a school-wide STEAM Day.
Students in our fine arts magnet program are engaged in opportunities to collaborate in innovative and creative ways to learn problem-solving and effective communication. Those students who are members of the Visual Performing Arts Company have enhanced chances to further develop their world-class skills through productions, showcases, and competitions.
The 2024-2025 school year highlighted many achievements in the arts. VPAC dance hosted 250 elementary students for a Day of Dance. The VPAC dancers competed in the Wildcat Dance Team Classic this spring, finishing third overall. At Concert Performance Assessment, the band received an overall Superior with distinction, followed by a Superior rating at the Carowinds Music Festival later in the spring. VPAC Chorus earned an overall Superior rating at CPA and received an Excellent rating at Carowinds. The Orchestra program scored an Excellent rating at CPA this year. Several students were selected for district honors programs in dance, theatre, band, strings, and chorus. Additionally, some of our theatre students participated in the district Frozen musical.
Busbee continued its advisory program, focusing on small collaborative groups and social, mental, and behavioral strategies important for their development as adolescents. Guided by their advisory teachers or staff members, students built meaningful relationships with trusted adults, improved social skills, developed positive character traits, and gained leadership skills that will benefit them throughout life. In addition to the advisory program, Busbee hosted clubs once a month for students and staff.
This was Busbee’s second year implementing “Battle of the Classes,” a schoolwide competition that promotes growth and improvement in academics, attendance, and behavior. The event involved all students and gave them a chance to learn how to develop accountability skills. The 6th-grade class won this year’s competition and was awarded a field day at the end of the school year.
Busbee continues to support students by implementing Restorative Practices as a framework for teaching and modeling student behavior. Teachers undergo annual training in MTSS behavior procedures and aim to address issues at the teacher-student level. Restorative Practices have provided an opportunity to keep building relationships within our school, effectively strengthening our school culture.
At Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy, learning is a shared responsibility enriched through the arts, where students build confidence and a sense of belonging through diverse programs in academics, arts, STEAM, and athletics. These efforts prepare our students for college and careers while fostering a foundation of service and commitment.
Alicia Dickerson, Interim Principal
Brooke Dull, SIC Chair
