Whale Branch Middle School is located in Seabrook, South Carolina and serves students in fifth grade through eighth grade. The population attending Whale Branch Middle School is as follows:
328 Total students
- 258 African American Students
- 23 White Students
- 32 Hispanic Students
- 13 Two or More Races
- 1 Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander
- 1 American Indian or Alaska Native
WBMS currently has a total 38 certified staff members and 18 classified staff members. Certified staff members include reading interventionists, literacy and math instructional coaches, two school counselors, a media specialist, content area teachers, and academic arts teachers. Classified staff members include a parent liaison, several special education assistants, a Behavior Management Specialist, and a number of guidance and front office staff. WBMS is served by a principal and two assistant principals. WBMS also houses a School Resource Officer as provided to all BCSD schools by the Sheriff’s Department.
Our school is helping all students develop the world class skills of the profile of the SC Graduate through our choice option of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) as well as through our character education program. Through our STEAM program, academic arts teachers collaborate with content area teachers to infuse the arts within academic classes to promote student engagement and enhance teaching and learning. Additionally, we have a project lead the way teacher whose focus is on business and technology. All students participate in visual and performing arts classes to include band, art, and drama. To ensure world class knowledge, we also provide the opportunity at a second language acquisition in Spanish. By tapping into students’ interest in the arts and technology students are able to build stronger connections with academic classes.
Our students are prepared for life and career characteristics through a variety of ways. Our school counselors’ partner with several business to introduce students to the necessary skills for each. Furthermore, Whale Branch Middle has a business teacher who teaches courses on career exposure and preparation. We also support the district character education program where students and taught and recognized for showing attributes of various character words. Students at Whale Branch Middle leave educated on their options as well as the skills and behavior characteristics necessary to attain their career goals.
Additionally, Whale Branch Middle School houses a Health Based Clinic through Beaufort Jasper Comprehensive Health Services, which provides health, dental, and behavioral services to students who show a need. Students also have access to a certified mental health counselor through a local agency, Coastal Mental Health, where the counselor comes to the school. We also participate in the Community Eligible Program which provides a food bank once a month for community families as well as afford all of our students free breakfast and lunch.