Morningside Middle School is committed to helping all scholars develop the World Class Skills and life characteristics outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, including critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and perseverance. Our school community is dedicated to preparing students for success in high school, college, and career by fostering a culture of academic excellence, social-emotional growth, and equity.
Morningside has strengthened its focus on Tier 1 instruction by infusing AVID WICOR strategies (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) and SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) into daily instruction. These approaches support academic language development, promote higher-order thinking, and ensure access to rigorous content for all learners, including our multilingual and exceptional education populations.
To support academic acceleration and individualized growth, we use PRIDE Time—a dedicated block built into the school day for targeted intervention, enrichment, and skill-based learning. During this time, students receive strategic support based on data from benchmark assessments and screeners, allowing us to close gaps while pushing scholars to new levels of excellence.
Aligned with the district’s vision of all students reading on grade level by 5th grade by 2027, literacy is a schoolwide focus embedded in every classroom for every student. Teachers across all content areas implement vocabulary instruction, reading strategies, and writing tasks that build comprehension and fluency. With access to one-to-one digital devices, high-interest texts, and small group instruction, scholars are supported daily in their reading development.
Morningside was proudly selected as a pilot school for the Palmetto AI Pathways Program for the 2025-2026 school year, introducing students to the foundational principles of artificial intelligence and its applications across industries. This opportunity, along with our CTE and AVID electives, elevates our focus on college and career readiness, providing students with real-world experiences that build digital fluency and 21st-century skills.
Our band, art, and video production programs continue to grow as a cornerstone of our arts enrichment, giving scholars opportunities to express themselves creatively while developing discipline, teamwork, and confidence. We believe the arts are essential in shaping well-rounded, empowered students.
We also continue to nurture a strong school culture through the Ron Clark House System, which promotes healthy competition, peer relationships, and school pride. Our implementation of social-emotional expectations affirms students' identities, strengthens their social-emotional skills, and fosters a climate of care, courage, and connection.
Morningside is proud to be a family- and community-centered school, maintaining an open-door policy and inviting ongoing collaboration with parents and stakeholders. We are especially grateful to our School Improvement Council and various student leadership groups for their dedication and contributions to our continued progress.
At Morningside Middle School, we are moving with intention in our new school facility—building scholars who are ready to lead, ready to grow, and ready to succeed in an evolving world. Morningside Middle School, where we are moving at a New Pace, in a New Place, and exploring New Possibilities!
Sharon Randall, Principal
Dr. Berton Griffin, SIC Chair
