John W. Moore Middle School is a Title One school, named a Palmetto’s Finest School in March 2023. This prestigious award is the highest honor a school can achieve from the South Carolina Association of School Administrators. Moore received Cognia STEM recertification in 2023 and has held the certification since 2018. During the 2021-2022 school year, Moore was named a Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse School. We serve approximately 1,050 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. At Moore, we work daily to assist students with developing world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. We have established high expectations for student learning and are working diligently to provide rigorous instruction that will increase academic achievement in all areas. Our STEAM program is driven by the three Es, which are Exposure, Exploration, and Experience. Students have support and guidance from a Curriculum/Technology Coordinator, STEAM Coach, and Technology Coach who assist with technology integration in all content areas. Students research, collaborate, and create projects while practicing and learning new technology skills.
Our teachers are equipped to provide enhanced learning opportunities to our students by receiving ongoing professional development on Project Based Learning, STEAM, Design Thinking, technology, and the implementation of SC State Standards. We are currently implementing Project Based Learning school-wide and are a 1:1 school with Chromebooks. Students use blended learning opportunities to collaborate and create projects through shared learning which engages them in discussion and thus become critical thinkers.
In addition, teachers attend bi-weekly Professional Learning Community meetings to share best practices and to analyze student progress. Teachers also have the opportunity to work with our coaches who provide professional development, model lessons, and feedback on instructional practices. Due to the commitment and dedication of our excellent teachers, students are provided the opportunity to be creative, innovative, and to enhance their academics and leadership potential at Moore. We have partnered with one of our feeder schools, Delmae Elementary, to continue the Spanish Language Immersion Program allowing students to acquire a second language while further developing their native language. Furthermore, student learning opportunities are expanded upon in the four core content areas, as well as, a diverse, well-rounded selection of electives: Spanish, Careers, Piano, Band, Orchestra, Guitar, Chorus, Theater, Strings, Design Thinking, Art, Fine Arts Appreciation, Media Arts, Digital Arts, Broadcast Journalism, Yearbook, Arts: Images, Intro to Art, Robotics, Agriculture, Green Architecture, Medical Detectives, Video Game Design, Drones, Automation and Robotics, Intro to Computers, Fundamentals of Computers, Computer Applications, Science of Technology, Design and Modeling, PE, and Health.
At Moore, our vision is to develop well-rounded critical thinkers in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math to create productive, responsible citizens prepared to be successful in an evolving society. To accomplish this, we focus on increasing the principles of character education and citizenship in our students. At Moore, we expect our students to R.O.A.R (Responsibility, Opportunity, Accountability, Respect). We are continuing to implement Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. We have developed school-wide behavioral expectations for our students and acknowledge positive behavior through incentives such as: pep rallies, dances, and other invitations to student events. We also encourage our students to explore careers by participating in Career Day, Veterans Day, Black History month, Women's History month, and inviting guest speakers and community members to participate in school events.
Increasing parent involvement is very important to the success of our school. Parent conferences are scheduled at various times throughout the year to provide important information about the district’s curriculum, student progress, and individual test results. Parents are invited to visit our Parent Resource Center and to volunteer in our school. In addition, parents are invited to serve on our active Title One Committee, Association of Parent and Teachers, and School Improvement Council. Several Title One parent workshops and family events are held to encourage family participation. Events included are: Ways to be a Successful Learner, STEAM Community Showcase Night, and a Fine Arts/Visual Arts Showcase Night.
With the dedication of our teachers and support of our wonderful parents and community, we will continue to strive for excellence so that every child will develop the world class knowledge and world class skills needed to be future leaders. At John W. Moore Middle School, we are Lion Proud! Lion Strong!
April Leroy, Principal
Osbbie Scipio, SIC Chair
