York Middle School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate with a focus on world class knowledge, world class skills, and life and career characteristics. We are continuously seeking ways to improve and expand our instructional programs. Teachers utilize units of instruction which are developed through department and team collaborations to integrate the content areas, deliver quality instruction, and determine understanding through the evaluation of common assessment data. The curriculum and instruction focus for 2022-2023 school year was continued work on curriculum mapping and the development of common assessments. 

York Middle School is a 1:1 school where all students have a Chromebook to use for instructional purposes. Teachers integrate these devices into all realms of instruction, including during elective classes. In modern classrooms, technology has become an invaluable instrument for students. It supports the learning process by engaging students in interactive lessons that delve deep into content and require problem-solving skills. Departments and teams of teachers utilize the 1:1 technology to begin the process of creating mastery paths to learning where there is some individualization in learning and differentiation in the final product that represents learning. York Middle School is beginning to focus on Student Centered Learning where technology plays a role in individualized learning paths.  

York Middle School continuously evaluates school based instructional programs. Teachers creatively seek out ways to integrate enrichment and remediation periods for all learners. This can be seen through altered team-based schedules to offer these additional instructional learning times for all students. In addition, the literacy support programs, Read 180 and System 44, were utilized for targeted instructional support for a pilot group of 7th and 8th grade ELA students.  

Through the integration of ROAR (Respect, Organization, Attitude, Responsibility) and the creation of “Cougar Academy,” to the beginning of our school year, we modeled student behavior expectations to provide a strong foundation for the school year. “Cougar Academy” took place the first week of school where students practiced expectations throughout the school building such as what does it look like to ROAR during transitions, during lunch, during arrival and dismissal, and all throughout the day. Students practiced these expectations and were given feedback on ways to continue to make strong choices throughout the year. At the end of the week a “Cougar Academy” celebration occurred, and all students were provided a PBIS incentive of a ROAR t-shirt to wear throughout the school year. 

With the continued implementation of our Social Emotional Learning survey for all students, the Guidance Team was able to develop targeted lessons to meet the specific needs of classes and grade levels. Students were able to participate in a Guidance and a Careers course to further develop their understanding of career options as well as college and career opportunities after school. Lunch and Learns were held with students with people from various professions which helped to further expand students’ knowledge of college and career choices after high school. York Middle School hosted a career conference in March in which all students participated. They learned about the process for applying for jobs, interviewing, as well as heard from guest speakers in a multitude of careers paths. All 7th grade students took part in a field trip experience that helped them to learn about careers, budgeting, taxes, and working within a community. 

We look forward to continuing to grow as a community of learners and individuals, have an increased focus on student achievement and rigor, and provide quality arts and athletic experiences for our students.  

Cassidy Valerino 

Principal 

York Middle School