The mission of Chestnut Oaks Middle School is to provide an engaging environment to prepare all students to succeed. Our school continues its efforts in helping all students develop the world-class skills and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by fostering a safe learning environment where SOARing is our motto. Chestnut Oaks Middle School students are encouraged to seek excellence, opt to use good manners, activate listening and learning skills, and respect self and others (SOAR).
The students of Chestnut Oaks Middle School have soared and achieved excellence in many areas. Twenty-six students were inducted into the National Junior Honor Society for the 2022-2023 year. Our NJHS students participated in community service projects such as ringing the bell during the Christmas holiday for the Salvation Army, feeding the homeless and collecting donations for needy families. Nineteen Chestnut Oaks Middle School students released their very first book entitled, "Youthful Expressions of Creativity - COMS Style!". This beautiful masterpiece is a collection of 6 - 8th grade artwork, poetry, and essays with various themes created by students of Chestnut Oaks Middle School. There were three students who won at the Future Business Leaders of America State Conference in the areas of Business Ethics, Elevator Speech, and Financial Literacy. Twenty students participated in the STEM Innovation Challenge Project hosted by Shaw AFB in Sumter. More than thirty students participated in the “Walk of Art,” Inspire Festival which was displayed in downtown Sumter and featured various works of art.
Steffanie Taylor was named the school level Teacher of the Year and named a finalist for the 2020-2021 District Teacher of the Year. For the 2021-2022 school year, Thomas Slater was the school-level Teacher of the Year, the District Teacher of the Year, and a South Carolina Teacher of the year finalist. Cornelius Blanding is the 2022-2023 school level Teacher of the Year, and Ms. MaLyka Balanac is the 2022-2023 Secondary Level Induction Teacher of the Year. January 2019, Chestnut Oaks Middle School celebrated removal from the South Carolina Department of Education Priority Schools list. Priority schools are identified as being underperforming. We continue to set academic goals and monitor progress in attaining these goals and continue excellence in academics, service, and character education. Falcons SOAR!!
Mrs. Jenaii D. Edwards, Principal
Ms. Melissa Watson, SIC Chair
