Seven Oaks Elementary School MEDIA Magnet is committed to fostering learning in an interactive and digital environment where an engaging academic curriculum prepares students for success in a digital society. The SOESMM motto is: Create, Communicate, and Collaborate. By focusing on the school’s mission and motto, we are helping all students develop the world class skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.
Creativity and Innovation
As a MEDIA magnet school, creativity and innovation are encouraged daily. Our students utilize a high-tech production studio to create videos, movies and podcasts aligned to standards-based learning. Students lead a daily morning news show which involves the creation of scripts, teleprompt information, camera controls, and direction of student reporters and news anchors. Students create, produce, and submit videos to be highlighted at the annual Golden Oaks Film Festival. This year videos and awards were shared virtually so family and friends were able to celebrate the learning and media skills that the student acquired throughout the year. Creation and innovation is a key component of daily life at SOES.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Students at Seven Oaks Elementary School MEDIA Magnet are engaged in a curriculum that offers multiple opportunities to think critically and solve problems. The South Carolina State Standards serve as a foundation for the lessons that our highly qualified teachers provide for the students. Seven Oaks Elementary School MEDIA Magnet students are challenged to reach their targeted growth through a focus on meeting the needs of each student. Through the Response to Intervention process, students are supported and allowed to grow academically at their own rate. Additionally, PBL (Problems Based Learning) units, encouraged students to think creatively and share their information in a variety of formats with an emphasis on the MEDIA magnet theme.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Collaboration and teamwork are major components of the Seven Oaks MEDIA focus. Our Digital Integration Specialist and Media Specialist work closely with teachers to support the full integration of the MEDIA magnet focus in all classrooms. Whether it is through a student-led Black History Month program, a video demonstrating mastery of counting through classroom jobs in 4K, or a podcast highlighting space and the Solar System in 2nd grade, students and staff at SOESMM work with and support each other to foster warm and successful school climate.
Communication, Information, Media and Technology
Seven Oaks Elementary School MEDIA Magnet is immersed in media and technology. iPads and Chromebooks have been learning tools available to students for many years. This history of technology use helped the students, families and staff at SOESMM meet the unique challenges of this past year head on. Technology is used to support the magnet focus and are integrated into the general curriculum with the goal of developing the communication skills of our students. Students are constantly encouraged to share the information they have gained through research and classwork via various types of media.
Knowing How to Learn
Our Title 1 school continues to meet the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of our students on a daily basis. While the faculty and staff strive to provide intentional instruction based on the South Carolina Curriculum Standards, we know that gaining content knowledge is only one component of knowing how to learn. SOESMM focuses on developing students who can be successful in the global society. Because Seven Oaks Elementary School MEDIA Magnet serves students from 13 different countries, cultural diversity is appreciated, respected, and celebrated. Supporting the social and emotional needs of our students has been an area of particular focus this year. Through the PBIS initiative (Positive Behavior Intervention Support), students learn how to be positive role models by embracing the 3 B’s – Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Be Respectful.
Seven Oaks Elementary School MEDIA Magnet strives to develop our students as creators, communicators, and collaborators in order to be successful in school, a digital society, and in a world community.
W. Christian English, Principal
I'esha Odom, SIC Chairperson
