Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy has established a tradition of helping all students develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. By focusing on an educational program that is centered on students’ academic, social, and emotional growth, Busbee Creative Arts Academy gives support to the whole child while providing an exceptional middle school experience. Busbee teachers and staff work collaboratively in teams on all aspects of content curriculum and social and emotional learning. The school also embraces mobile technology and an arts-infused curriculum that creates an interactive and ideal learning environment for all middle school students.
In the spring of 2021, Busbee Creative Arts Academy was designated as a National School to Watch. The culmination of two years of planning, preparing, and growing, Busbee navigated the challenges of the pandemic to achieve its goal of being one of the state’s top middle schools. Crafting a vision around the Schools to Watch criteria, the school structures and traditions in place ensure that every student is known, their contributions to the school celebrated, and their leadership nurtured.
With an arts focus and the addition of a STEAM Lab, Busbee Creative Arts Academy focuses on helping students become skilled in the areas of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. Students in our fine arts magnet program are immersed in opportunities to work together in both innovative and creative ways to learn to solve problems and communicate effectively. Those students who are members of the Visual Performing Arts Company have enhanced opportunities to further develop their World-Class Skills through productions, showcases, and competitions. With the addition of a STEAM Lab, Busbee students are provided an opportunity to learn and practice engineering skills while collaborating with peers to complete various projects and activities.
Also, during the 2020-2021 school year, Busbee implemented the Second Step Program to support the social and emotional learning of all students. Through small collaborative groups, students focus on social, mental, and behavioral strategies important to their development as adolescents. Guided by their mentor teachers or staff members, students developed meaningful relationships with trusted adults, improved social skills, developed positive character traits, and were exposed to leadership skills that will help them throughout life. Busbee will continue to utilize Second Step in the future to continue providing students with social and emotional support.
In addition to an upgraded mentoring program, Busbee continues to support students through the implementation of Restorative Practices as a framework for handling student behavior. Teachers receive annual training in behavior procedures and do their best to handle issues at the teacher-student level. Restorative Practices have provided an opportunity to continue building relationships in our building, effectively strengthening our school culture.
At Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy, learning is a shared responsibility enhanced through the arts, where students grow in confidence and a sense of belonging through diverse programs in academics, arts, technology, and athletics. These efforts ensure our students are college and career-ready while building a foundation of service and commitment.
Stephanie Hucks, Principal
Lisa Cole, SIC Chair