Wren High School is helping all students develop the world-class skills, life characteristics, and career characteristics of the Profile of the Graduate by providing a learning environment where all students have the opportunity to reach their potential. The mission of Wren High School is to provide each student with the knowledge, the skills, and the character necessary to excel in a multicultural and technologically-advanced society. Based on its exemplary student academic performance, Wren High continues to be recognized as a school of excellence. Recognition includes Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School of Excellence, Palmetto's Finest, Palmetto Gold recipient, Flagship School of Promise, National Service Learning Leader School, Southern Regional Educational Board (SREB) High School That Works Pace Setter Site, and one of the top US News and World Report America's Best High Schools. The ongoing commitment of faculty, staff, community, and students contribute greatly to the success of the school.
The school continues to embrace best practices, relevant resources, and rich learning opportunities that embrace teaching and learning. As part of a district 1:1 Digital Innovation initiative, every student has been provided with a Chromebook to enhance the learning experience and provide teachers with resources to provide students with innovative and individualized instruction. Teachers have participated in district-wide and in-house staff development to sustain best practice instructional strategies.
High school graduation is an expectation in our community. Research has shown that a smooth transition from 8th to 9th grade is an important predictor for high school graduation. In order to focus on the ninth grade year, Wren High School uses resources to have a model Freshman Academy. Since Wren added a Freshman Academy, the school has focused on students passing the ninth grade prepared to complete high school. Wren High School aims to have a graduation rate of over 90% each year, and this past year, Wren High’s graduation rate was 95.96%.
Wren High School always aims to increase the percentage of students deemed College and Career Ready by the state of South Carolina. This includes focusing on improving SAT and ACT scores for all students, especially those attempting to enroll in four-year schools after graduation. There is also a focus on having students earn at least a Silver certificate on the Ready to Work assessment all eleventh grade students take each year. There is also a focus on preparing all students to be College and Career Ready upon graduation especially our Special Education subgroup. This includes an emphasis on closing the achievement gap for these students and providing meaningful work-based learning experiences for these students. Another emphasis for college readiness is a focus on Advanced Placement and Dual Credit opportunism for students. Wren High School aims to increase the number of students taking AP or Dual Credit courses and passing AP exams each year. By focusing on College and Career Readiness, Wren High School hopes to have students ready to be productive members of our community upon high school graduation.
The administration and staff at Wren also continue to focus on End-of-Course (EOC) test scores in Algebra 1, English, Biology and US History. Using the Professional Learning Community (PLC) model, teachers of these subjects have been provided opportunities for collaboration to identify essential standards and to develop common formative assessments. Instructional adjustments and teacher training have contributed to an increase in the use of data to guide instruction and a focus on improving EOC scores in these subjects.
Students are provided with options to re-do assignments and tests if necessary through the Power of I (incomplete). The Power of I supports mastery learning and does not allow students to opt out or score below mastery level without interventions that include tutoring and retesting. After school tutoring is offered to all students free of charge and with free transportation home if needed at Wren High School. Students are also provided with opportunities for credit recovery if they need to re-take courses or units of instruction through an internet-based program, Edgenuity.
All students participate annually in an advisory program in which they work with teachers, counselors, and parents to make decisions about career majors and courses. Wren continues to meet and/or surpass the state and national averages which indicates the success of the strategies used to support student achievement. The school continues to partner with Mentor Anderson to support at-risk students being paired with a caring adult. This partnership has worked hand-in-hand to make sure the needs of our students are met to provide an opportunity for all students to succeed.
The School Improvement Council (SIC) evaluates and approves goals for the School Improvement Plan. This council indicated that Wren is making progress towards meeting the goals listed for the 2015 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) 5- year Action Plan. The improvement goals include the following: maintaining a graduation rate of over 90%; increase enrollment and academic success of students in Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit courses; maintaining an average SAT/ACT score above the national and state average; 80% passage rate for all students in all subjects on the End-of-Course tests; sustained professional development.
Dr. Kyle Whitfield, Principal
Anna Steele, SIC Chair
