Castle Heights Middle School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the SC Graduate by continuing to explore and research ways to improve and expand our instructional programs. Effective and rigorous instruction supports students' development of the knowledge, skills, and characteristics they will need to be successful as they move through middle school, to the high school, and to career and higher education goals.
Throughout the 2017-2018 school year we continued to implement a program of high integration of technology within our instructional program. Students sharpened the world class skills of communication and technology, as well as collaboration and teamwork that are needed for academic success. The effective integration of technology supports student creativity and innovation through rubric-based project-based learning. Instruction, collaboratively planned and assessed to focus on essential standards, challenged and engaged students with a wide range of resources. Strategies were implemented to support classroom instruction at a tier that is effective for all students, and revisions to our Enrichment program allowed for a further tier to focus on individual student needs. Professional development and teacher conferences supported these efforts to make the school's classroom instruction and tiered extensions as effective as possible. Castle Heights implemented a Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS) into our culture. Our PBIS REACH (respect, effort, accountability, community, honor), served as a means to cultivate a positive school climate for students and staff and model interpersonal skills.
World class skills and characteristics also include integrity and concern for the others in our community. The students and staff remain committed to community projects with agencies such as the Catawba Nation Food Bank, the York Co. Humane Society, Toys for Tots and the American Heart Association. Castle Heights supported student involvement in diverse activities such as the Young Entrepreneur competition, the Teen CEO field study, a range of athletic teams, and a range of service and special interest clubs and overnight field studies opportunities. The school is pleased to have both PTO and School Improvement Council (SIC) with a renewed energy and presence within school life. Our SIC spearheaded a successful 5th grade Bridge Day where our three feeder elementary schools were invited into the building. As we have reexamined our instructional programs and supported the development of the skills and knowledge our students will need to be successful, Castle Heights has maintained the national and state award winner title of a School To Watch.
Cynthia L. Robinson, Principal
