Meadow Glen Middle School works to help all students develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing an active, safe, engaging, collaborative and inclusive learning environment. As a nationally credentialed EL Education school, MGMS focuses on educating the whole child and continually assesses its effectiveness through the three dimensions of student achievement: mastery of knowledge and skills; high-quality work; and character. Success in the areas of the three dimensions is measured by students’ abilities to demonstrate proficiency according to state standards, an analysis of beautiful work that students create throughout the year, and self-reflections on students’ development with learning and using the Habits of Success. MGMS helps students gain world-class knowledge and skills by engaging students in active learning, fostering student leadership opportunities and leveraging community partnerships. In addition, structures such as CREW, Habits of Success, student-engaged assessment practices, student-led Town Hall celebrations, student-led conferences, student passages, expeditions and case studies all give students a variety of opportunities to utilize the world-class knowledge, skills, and life and career characteristics they need to be successful, productive graduates and citizens of South Carolina.
During the 2022–2023 school year, under the theme Making Connections, MGMS experienced many successes as a school community: MGMS hosted site visits as an EL Education Mentor School, and our very own Dr. Coon was nominated and named as a finalist for the Silverberg Leadership Award. Our current eighth grade students raised enough money last year through their seventh-grade expedition work to sponsor the drilling of a well in South Sudan, giving clean water access to families and communities in the area. During the holidays, sixth and seventh grade students collected toys to support Toys for Tots, which provided gifts to children, while eighth grade students gathered hygiene and personal items for local veterans. Finally, the 11th Annual Miss MGMS Pageant with a Purpose raised more than $20,000 for Relay For Life.
To support students’ mastery of world-class knowledge, MGMS continued to refine expeditions and case studies at each grade level. The sixth grade expanded upon their expedition entitled “Adaptive Solutions,” which focused on adapting various games and sports for students with special needs. Students researched mental and physical disabilities, and met with experts about Special Olympics. Students also created adaptations to enhance and improve games and sports such as badminton, bocce ball, disc golf and soccer to be more inclusive for students with special needs. This year, the sixth grade hosted a “Swamp Tank” which brought in family and friends to give feedback and then “invest” in a chosen solution project. In seventh grade, students read A Long Walk to Water, which led them to continue their expedition, “Water: The Ripple Effect.” In addition, they coordinated their second 5K race with staff and community members to help in their fundraising efforts to provide clean water access for the people of South Sudan. Finally, eighth grade students learned about being upstanders in the “Take a Stand” expedition. After thorough research, students participated in team debates around four constitutional amendments, arguing for or against specific laws and rights. At a Celebration of Learning, students invited parents and community members to learn more about the expedition process and view live debates.
To help students develop strong life and career skills, MGMS continued to develop and strengthen the structure of CREW and help students be “tenacious leaders who communicate and collaborate with integrity” through the Habits of Success. The MGMS CREW worked together to strengthen the scope and sequence of meaningful lessons tying together the learning and application of the Habits of Success. This CREW design team also provided support for Student-Led Conferences and Passages. These two structures allowed students to reflect on their learning and use of the Habits of Success, as well as share their learning with an authentic audience of parents, teachers and community members.
In addition to learning and leadership opportunities in the core classroom and CREW, MGMS students are provided with extracurricular outlets and experiences through exploratory classes to support the development of these skills. For example, the robotics program at MGMS creates a space for students to research real-world problems that affect their community and collaboratively find solutions. This year, five MGMS robotics teams competed, with two teams advancing to international competitions in Arkansas and Massachusetts, and two finishing second and third in the state. Our archery team qualified for state and won first place at the International Bowhunting Organization Midlands Competition. The MGMS volleyball team finished a winning season by placing third at the Pac-10 Championship in the fall. The cheer team finished third in the state after winning two local competitions. We are also proud of our award-winning MATHCOUNTS team members and Junior Beta Club Scholars.
In January, the MGMS musical theater program presented The Little Mermaid Jr., with performances for parents and families. In March, the MGMS band and orchestra students earned Excellent and Superior ratings in their respective performance assessments. The MGMS Dance Company placed second in the state. Additionally, as a Unified Champion School, we provide numerous opportunities for our students with special needs to participate in band, dance and physical education classes.
Whether through service, expedition, CREW or the work of inclusion, MGMS students demonstrated across the board that they are thriving and preparing to create a better world.
Principal Bill Coon, Ed.D.
Nicholas Hill, SIC Chair
