Our school is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the 'Profile of the Graduate' by developing world class citizens and learners.
McCants Middle School is pleased to have a reputation of excellence and a tradition of academic achievement in the Anderson community for over 80 years. Our students engage in scholarly pursuits while participating in inquiry-based learning and our goal is to raise the academic achievement level of all our students through the philosophy of providing a "STUDENT CENTERED EDUCATION."
We continue to implement new instructional strategies to move all students to their greatest academic potential and encourage them to become successful self-directed learners. McCants’ teachers participate in professional learning opportunities that are determined based on test data, observational data, the needs of our students, and the goals of our school. Some of the professional learning that has continued in our building this year has revolved around developing a common language in all of our classroom through the Literacy Design Collaborative as we have tried to still move student forward with COVID guidelines in place. We have identified strategies for our classrooms that are used continuously to build understanding and comprehension across the curriculum. In our year four of this growth model, we focused on common writing in all content areas. In our math classes, our math department has embraced Glenna Tabor's Rotations for the third year although our teachers have had to be creative in how they meet with students and meet needs based on COVID restrictions. These encounters address individual needs of students at their specific level of learning on a regular basis. Our school’s goals continue to include research-based instructional practices, parent communication, data analysis, and technology integration.
Under Anderson School District Five’s leadership, we have continued to offer one to one technology for the 2020 - 2021 academic school year. All students in grades 6-8 received a Chromebook so that we can fully integrate technology into our curriculum and instructional program. This gives all learners an opportunity to reach their fullest potential.
Our instructional focus is only one area of what we want our students to demonstrate success. Another goal for our students to become world class citizens and ready for life paths is to embrace literacy in all facets. We are focused on literacy being a target skill in all academic areas. We embrace students being independent in their communication skills within the class and as a social part of the school environment. As a middle schooler, learning takes place outside of the classroom too. This year students have not had the opportunity to develop their own interests through clubs. However, last year, they wanted to start a debate club and students organized it, got an adult to supervise and took control of what it looked like as a participant. Last year, Fellowship of Christian Athletes was a student led endeavor and we hope to add more clubs in the future. We want to promote the opportunities for our students to grow as individuals to help them be a success.
McCants Middle School strives for excellence in the arts, athletics, and academics. We are pleased to offer a strong fine arts programs in which students have the opportunity to take courses such as band, orchestra, chorus, art, and drama. We offer Gateway to Engineering courses and a variety of technology options to better prepare our students for possible STEM majors and careers. Various exposures to careers occur through our career facilitator who presents relevant learning to our students and through visits to local businesses in our area. Athletic opportunities at the middle school level include football, basketball, volleyball, and cheerleading as a pep club option.
McCants follows a model of high expectations and continuous improvement as we strive to be on the cutting edge of student engagement and achievement. We make every effort to provide an educational environment in which all students have the opportunity to inspire, motivate, and be future ready. As a beginning to each day, the principal gives inspiring messages and discussions on current events around our school and sometimes even in our community. This time each day sets the tone for our school environment and sets the bar for the expectations as we coexist in our world. Specifically for our 6th grade Academy, our principal met last year with the entire group of students and teachers to discuss ways to be a more productive contributor to our school. This year, our teachers took on that role in small groups to help our incoming 6th graders prosper as they became a part of our campus environment. Either way, this time establishes the tone and sets the minds of our newest "game changers" each morning. We strive for our students to be globally prepared for 21st century challenges, as well as, to be caring people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
