Waccamaw Middle School (WMS) is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by continuing to strive for excellence in the academic arena as evidenced by our outstanding overall academic achievement in all four core subject areas on the 2019 SC School Report Card. 51.4% of WMS students met or exceeded expectations on the SC Ready Math exam in 2019. 53.3% of our students met or exceeded expectations on the SCReady ELA Exam, and 100% of our students passed both the Eng I and Alg I EOC Exams. 80.3% of our students met or scored exemplary in both the Science and Social Studies State PASS Exams. In order to attain these accomplishments, professional development was offered throughout the year at the state, district, and school levels. Professional Learning Team (PLT) meetings were held weekly at the school level and quarterly at the district office. These PLT meetings focused on Student Learning Objectives (SLOs), standards, the collection and utilization of data, the individualization of student needs, and research-based instructional strategies that continue to strive to meet the needs of our students and staff. Over half of WMS students participate in extracurricular activities including athletics and fine arts. Many of our students participate at the varsity level. For the tenth consecutive year, the WMS Band received an Outstanding Performance Award as well as a superior ranking at the district and state levels. Our chorus earned a rating of Excellent at the State Chorus Festival. The WMS drama club was in its third year of operation. WMS students participated in the production of the musical, Grease. One seventh-grade WMS student qualified as a Duke TIP Scholar. The WMS Beta Club had twenty-six students complete at the state convention. Four students advanced to the state level in the National History Day competition. One-hundred-twenty-three students qualified for the National Junior Honor Society. Sixteen students achieved S.C. Jr. Scholar status. WMS Student Council raised over $500 for local charities. They also helped with Special Olympics and WMS Field Day at the end of the year. Our school partnered with a local church for Backpack Buddies, which provides food each week to students and families in need. WMS has benefited from the support of business partners, the PTSA and the SIC boards. WMS received national recognition this year as a Capturing Kids Hearts National Showcase School. The safety and well-being of all our stakeholders and beautification of our building and grounds continue as a result of the ongoing efforts of these partnerships. We look forward to a bright future for WMS by continuing to work together to best meet the needs of our students and staff.
Jamie W. Curry, WMS Principal
Brad Kibler, WMS SIC President
