Royal Live Oaks Academy of the Arts and Sciences (RLOA) is committed to making student success our primary goal as we develop World-Class Skills defined by the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. At RLOA, we provide a learning environment where all children can maximize personal and professional growth in their endeavors to be successful. This year we have provided virtual, blended, and in-person learning opportunities to address the unique needs of our students during the pandemic, and each of our students has had a personal electronic device and access to a hotspot. Our high school students participated in virtual and in-person learning to recover credits, which provided them a way to meet on-time graduation requirements. We provided Summer School, Summer Reading, and ABC Bootcamp to address learning loss, recover credit, and prepare students to be successful next year. We provided SummerBridge packets for students to bridge the summer learning gap, as well. Our Project-Based Learning approach intertwined with the Project Lead the Way program across our K-12 campus provides a rigorous and challenging curriculum that is rich and robust in problem solving. RLOA students are provided learning opportunities in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Finance, and Biomedical Science in a nurturing environment.
The student population at RLOA provides unique challenges. Over 80% of our population are children of poverty and over 50% are English Language Learners. Our faculty and staff participate in ongoing professional development to build a diverse portfolio of instructional practices in order to better prepare RLOA students to reach academic excellence. This year held particular challenges with the combination of virtual, hybrid, and in-person learning. In preparation, our faculty and staff engaged in robust professional development. They completed certification in Google Classroom I and II, and 15 hours of Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Model training. Multiple forms of outreach to our parents and students to increase active participation were needed. We developed a system of outreach for academic and social-emotional support with our School Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, leadership team members, and teachers. We fully employed a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Director (MTSS) to work closely with our authorizer’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Specialist in an effort to implement early intervention strategies to help support identified at-risk, general education students. The MTSS Director supports Elementary, Middle and High School's Response to Intervention (RtI) processes and operations. Our ABC Bootcamp this summer prepared rising kindergarteners for school. These efforts should show an increase in state assessment scores in the years to come.
Our Royal Knight scholars are encouraged to make a difference in the world in which we live. We encourage and challenge our high school students to enroll in dual-enrollment courses to enhance their worldly knowledge and prepare them for the future while allowing them to earn college credits before graduation. Sixteen high school students completed dual enrollment classes and passed thirty-six courses. Out of eighteen Spanish-speaking high school students who took the Biliteracy exam, fourteen received the Biliteracy Seal. Further, our programs promote well-rounded learners in the sciences and the arts, not in isolation, but inclusively, as the arts and sciences meld together in a realistic workplace and in problem-solving situations.
Royal Live Oaks challenges its students to think strategically and creatively to diagnose, brainstorm, and solve real-world scenarios using skills learned in math, science, engineering, English, history, and related arts classes. These opportunities are extended beyond the classroom into our community. Community is important to us. We encourage our scholars to complete at least ten hours of meaningful community service each year. These services to the community take many forms, including Adopt-a-Highway. Even during COVID, we were able to hold a Spring Multicultural Parade that involved students and local community leaders in a celebration of the many cultures represented on our campus, both faculty and students. In addition, two seniors served on the City of Hardeeville’s Youth Council and successfully mounted a campaign to reduce litter in the county. On July 30th several RLOA student ambassadors and athletes assisted the City of Hardeeville in their Gala Event for the new Recreation Center. Normally, students volunteer in numerous other community events. We look forward to expanding these opportunities next year.
Students did not have the usual opportunities to participate in off-site field trips, so teachers were creative in providing virtual and on-site field trips aligned with the standards to enrich students’ understanding of the standards in real-world settings, e.g., Be a Scientist. RLOA has a number of community partners. More than twenty RLOA teachers received Palmetto Electric’s Bright Ideas Grants, the largest number in the surrounding area schools. RealChampions mentors began serving eight of our K-2 students, and they will be mentored through their senior year. They also provided Easter baskets to our Students of the Month. The Skye Terrier Foundation granted all elementary students a satchel of books and other educational materials in late spring. The Hope Zone Resource Center provided our students with much needed school supplies and personal care products. Sun City and the City of Hardeeville provided RLOA with numerous school supplies and gifts for students at Christmas.
Finally, the Patel Foundation of the Lowcountry provided elementary students attending our summer programs with books. Upon demonstration of comprehension of each book the students read, they received prizes to encourage them to develop the love of reading. Additionally, the Foundation provided 150 meals daily to our students in our summer school programs.
Royal Live Oaks Academy prides itself on developing and producing world-class academic competitors. RLOA Young Scholars traditionally compete and earn accolades in the Model United Nations and other leadership opportunities. Our art students are members of the National Art Honor Society and work with artists in residence when available. Our school-wide Robotics program is in the elite category of competitions and our teams routinely place in the top tier at local, regional and state level championships. Our student-athletes learn the importance of sportsmanship, teamwork, and competition as part of the state’s middle and high school athletic program. Extracurricular activities such as eSports (competitive, international video gaming) provide opportunities for students to continue to demonstrate characteristics of the Profile of South Carolina Graduate. In addition, despite COVID, our soccer team competed in the regional championship.
We challenge our students to understand that effective learning is constant, reflective, and productive. We teach critical thinking skills that are required to problem solve, manage daily routines, and find real-word solutions, thus preparing RLOA scholars to use their world class knowledge, skills, and life and career characteristics to make world-impacting change in their communities on their road to experiencing success. Students continue to make academic gains each year as they experience an environment of personal excellence.
