At Fort Mill Middle School, we are committed to our mission: to nurture and educate students to value lifelong learning and positively impact the world. While we expect our students to strive for excellence, we also recognize that the middle school years are a time for exploration, learning from mistakes, and developing socially and emotionally. We are here to support our students as they pursue their goals, explore interests, and build new skills. We also understand the vital role families and the community play in student success and value our partnership with both.
The faculty and staff at FMMS are dedicated to helping students grow into the well-rounded individuals outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Through rigorous coursework based on state standards, related arts classes, and extracurricular activities, students build skills in collaboration, critical thinking, perseverance, and integrity. Our wide range of clubs, sports teams, and organizations encourage students to get involved, make connections, and grow as individuals.
We are proud of many academic accomplishments from the 2024–2025 school year. FMMS earned an Excellent rating on the South Carolina School Report Card, and many students showed significant growth in their STAR reading and math assessments—some gaining multiple grade levels in just one year. We continued to support learning through our academic program and by providing targeted interventions during SWARM time.
For the second year in a row, FMMS partnered with our sister school, City of Light in Kitale, Kenya, as part of our global citizenship and service-learning initiatives. Last year, our school community raised funds to provide water filters to improve access to clean drinking water. This year, we funded and furnished a classroom at City of Light with 30 locally built desks, supporting both education and the local economy. These projects have deepened our students’ understanding of global issues and the power of service.
FMMS also hosted its second Multicultural Night Talent and Fashion Show, showcasing the diverse cultures represented in our school community. Students and families participated with performances, traditional attire, and cultural displays. Eighth-grade students further expanded their cultural understanding through experiences with the Catawba Cultural Center, learning about the history and present-day contributions of the Catawba Nation; the Fort Mill History Museum’s “People and Places, Past and Present” program; and a presentation from Queens University’s Stan Greenspon Center focused on Jewish traditions, the Holocaust, and social justice as part of their World War II studies.
The 2024–2025 school year was also a banner year for FMMS Athletics! We proudly added two championship banners, thanks to our 7th-grade girls basketball team and our girls track team. We also launched girls flag football, with Coach Hall leading our inaugural team to a strong first season. To support athlete wellness, we hosted a free physical night—thanks to Dr. Lake—and welcomed Mrs. Cori Hustedt to lead a powerful LeadHership seminar focused on empowering female athletes.
Our students also achieved remarkable success in the arts and academics. Several students received top honors for creative writing, including one 8th grader who won first place in the Fort Mill Optimist Club essay contest and earned first place in both poetry and short story in the York County Arts Council Literary Competition. The FMMS band earned the South Carolina Band Directors’ Association’s Outstanding Performance Award and a Superior rating at State Concert Performance Assessments. Nearly 100 students participated in The Little Mermaid Jr. musical production, which also marked our 7th year participating in the Broadway Junior Celebration at the Knight Theater in Charlotte.
In academic competitions, the FMMS Academic Challenge team won the State Championship under the leadership of Mrs. Ankenbruck. Four students represented FMMS in the district spelling bee, and our Mathcounts team placed second in the Catawba Chapter Competition, with two students advancing to the State Championship. Additionally, 8th graders enjoyed a visit from professional BMX racers from Team Mongoose through the USA BMX Foundation’s STEM motivational program.
Career readiness was another key focus this year. With guidance from our Career Development Facilitator, Mrs. Kati McFadden, all 7th graders attended the District Career Fair, where they completed career interest inventories, learned about soft skills, and interacted with over 40 vendors from all 16 career clusters. Sixth graders participated in a Career Day, attending interest-based sessions and meeting with professionals. Select students also enjoyed lunch with presenters for deeper conversations about career paths. Meanwhile, 8th graders in FACS and Computer classes participated in mock interviews with school and district staff to build their job readiness skills.
The 2024–2025 school year offered meaningful opportunities for students to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. At FMMS, we remain committed to our mission and will continue to live out our Jacket PRIDE values: positivity, respect, integrity, dedication, and engagement. Go Jackets!
Dr. Emily McQuay, Principal
Josh Berdux, SIC Chairperson
