As an International Baccalaureate World School, Beechwood Middle School is guided by the IB’s mission to “develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through international understanding and respect,” and is committed to fulfilling the vision and mission of Lexington County School District One to “Empower Each Child to Design the Future” with a specific focus on developing the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.

Through the IB’s Approaches to Learning skills, Learner Profile and an experiential curriculum that includes exploratory course offerings in the areas of design, arts, world language and physical education, BMS cultivates the real-world connection and application of skills to guarantee continuous relevant learning.

BMS completed its fourth year with many achievements and much to celebrate thanks to our staff, students, parents and community. Some of our most notable accomplishments include being named one of America’s Healthiest Schools, and receiving the Common Sense School and Special Olympics Unified Champion School distinctions.

Our school, our students and our staff were recognized for several achievements:

• National Junior Beta Club School of Distinction

• 77 students initiated into BMS National Junior Beta Club

• 19 South Carolina Junior Scholars

• Two students received awards in the National Heritage Essay Contest by the Sertoma Club of Lexington

• Student named 2023 South Carolina American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay Contest Winner

• Student named Granby Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution American History Essay Contest Winner

• Orchestra Director and Orchestra Program earned the 2022–2023 South Carolina Music Educators Association Outstanding Performance Award — Gold

• Band Program earned the 2022–2023 South Carolina Band Directors Association Outstanding Performance Award

• Seventh grade Individuals and Societies teacher awarded the South Carolina Council on the Holocaust 2023 Educator of Excellence award

BMS functions as a service-oriented center of learning that builds strong family and community partnerships. Students are empowered to research significant local and global issues, and take action, resulting in young people who are creative and reflective citizens. This year’s students continued the established tradition of service through the following projects:

• BMS Junior Beta Club Adopt-a-Highway

• Linking Lexington Partner Donor

• Spirit Program Miss Beechwood Pageant for Samaritan’s Way

• Student Council Birthday Cake Gift Bags for Mission Lexington

• Student Council Stuff-a-Stocking for Mission Lexington

• Unified Special Olympics Fan Club Polar Plunge

• Unified Special Olympics Fan Club Share-the-Glove Community Outreach

In addition, 324 eighth grade students took on the challenge of completing an IB Community Project. These students focused on community and service, committing to and demonstrating their right and responsibility to implement service as action. Through these projects, our eighth grade class exemplified our motto “Lead Locally, Serve Globally” by uniting in their purpose and dedicating themselves to serving others.

Our Parent Teacher Organization recognized the challenges in teaching and learning that our teachers and students face, and renewed their commitment to improve the education and the educational environment for ALL of our students. Consequently, they funded six teacher grants and re-invested in the purchase of technology tools that allow teachers to engage every student.

Our School Improvement Council developed two goals in collaboration with school administration and counseling to increase student safety and foster a more positive school culture. The Student Online Safety Committee committed to establish a social media presence through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter designed to inform and engage parents and students in how to navigate the virtual environment safely and confidently. The SIC also continued the Bengal Mission Award to recognize students who live out the International Baccalaureate mission each day as inquiring, knowledgeable, caring and compassionate young people who help create a better and more peaceful world through their actions and commitment to become lifelong learners.

In order to help students grow in the areas of integrity, self-direction, resilience, perseverance, work ethic, interpersonal skills, global perspective, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate and collaborate toward a common goal, we provide numerous opportunities for our students to connect to student life beyond academics. As a result, BMS students have achieved at high levels in the arts, athletics and design:

• Band: Charleston Music Festival Straight Superior Ratings and Outstanding Percussion Award; South Carolina Band Directors Association All-State Band — Three students selected, SCBDA Concert Performance Assessment Superior with Distinction, SCBDA Outstanding Performance Award, SCBDA Region 2 Honor Band — 16 students selected

• Chorus: Honor Choir — Four students selected

• Dance: Capital City Dance Team Championship — 2nd Place Jazz; Saltwater Showdown — 1st Place Lyrical, 2nd Place Jazz; Wildcat Dance Team Classic — 2nd Place Lyrical

• Musical Theatre: Lexington One Theatre Fest — All Superior ratings

• Orchestra: South Carolina Music Educators Association — Junior Gold Outstanding Performance Award; Lexington One District Honors Orchestra — 17 students selected; Middle School Orchestra at Smoky Mountain Music Festival — 1st Place; SCMEA Solo & Ensemble Festival — 37 student participants, 20 Superior and 7 Excellent ratings, South Carolina Philharmonic Youth Orchestra — Four students selected; SCMEA Concert Performance Assessment — Superior Rating

• Tri-DAC: Band, Dance, Orchestra, Theatre and Vocal — 15 students accepted

• 14 Lex10 Conference Athletes

• Cheerleading: AC Flora Falcon Invitational — 2nd Place; Debbie Rogers Cheer Classic Champions, Fin Frenzy — 1st Place; Spring Valley Invitational — 1st Place, Wildcat Classic — 1st Place

• Volleyball: Lex10 Conference Champions

• Robotics: STING Robotics Qualifier Teamwork Challenge Winners, State Robotics Competition Qualifiers

We were able to engage our students further through several field studies, a Veterans Day Ceremony, and an Arts and Design Expo that included an artist-in-residence. Our Bengal Broadcasting crew delivered a daily news show that set the tone for caring for ourselves, each other and our families by highlighting inspirational moments through the “Bengal Paws,” and reinforcing specific areas of focus for our student body. We also implemented culture-building activities such as spirit weeks sponsored by Student Council and digital contests in our weekly newsletter. We celebrated our eighth grade Bengals through a Completion Ceremony, and our sixth and seventh grade students with outstanding academic achievement through evening awards programs.

BMS continues to foster a culture of excellence and growth for ALL students. Through the expertise and dedication of our faculty and staff, support of our parents and community, and perseverance and resilience of our students, our students will pursue their gifts in academics, arts, athletics and other unique abilities while at the same time developing as well-rounded young people who can impact their world in a way that embodies the Profile of a South Carolina Graduate.

Gloria Jenkinson, Principal

JoAnne Rodgers, SIC Chair