Longleaf Middle School is committed to creating a learning community that will ensure our students' success in school and in life. We understand that the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired now will be the foundation for future learning. Our school helps all students develop the world-class skills and life and career characteristics outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by achieving high academic standards, creating a school culture that supports and challenges our students, exposing students to rigorous, unique and transformational learning experiences, and by providing the foundational skills necessary for optimal student learning outcomes.
World Class Knowledge–This year, Longleaf Middle School continued to make significant progress academically (on all measures of performance). Our school is helping all students develop world-class skills through our implementation of dual and intertwined “themed” magnet programs (The Longleaf Engineering and Arts Program {School-Wide} and the School of Zoological and Botanical Studies {school-within-a-school}). Both programs provide STEAM focused opportunities for students to excel through inquiry, thematic, and project-based learning that capstones in experiences called engineering projects and/or case studies. In small peer groups, students conduct field work and action research (with local field experts) in order to solve real-world problems, where inquiry based learning is facilitated by teachers and aligned with the newly adopted South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards. In small groups, students present their findings to authentic audiences in order to obtain feedback, engage in reflection, and conduct revision to ensure that they produce a high quality finished product.
World Class Skills–Our focus is to help students become creators, communicators, critical thinkers and collaborators. Utilizing the latest and best technology tools and instructional strategies, students examine critical issues, work in grade level teams, collaborate with peers and adults, and develop unique solutions to these problems that show evidence of their mastery of core knowledge and skills and the ability to create high quality products.
Life and Career Characteristics–Longleaf Middle School provides a culture where students lead by example, exercise good judgment, achieve excellence, and participate responsibly. Through this work, learners demonstrate that they are committed to quality work and citizenship. School structures and traditions such as BEST, Response to Intervention, LEAP Intervention, Club Days, Community and Town-Hall meetings, mentoring exhibitions of student work, and service learning ensure that every student is known and cared for, that student leadership is nurtured, and that contributions to the school and scientific body of knowledge are celebrated.
The 2021-2022 school year marks year fourteen that Longleaf Middle School has proudly served the students and parents in the northeast area of Richland county. During this year of recovery from loss of instruction time as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we continued to focus on growth and student achievement while supporting our students’ social and emotional needs. In partnership with our students, faculty, parents, community, and staff, we look forward to a bright and successful future that will see Longleaf Middle become a premier learning community that best prepares students for high school, college, and beyond.
Teresa Price Boyd, Ed.S., Principal
Dr. Chanda Robinson, SIC Chairperson