Providing a world-class learning experience for all students in an environment that nurtures positive interpersonal relationships and a strong sense of community identity.
During the 2018-2019 school year St. James High School continued to strengthen its reputation as one of the finest secondary schools in the state of South Carolina. Since being awarded the prestigious Palmetto's Finest award in March 2016, the Shark family has been further recognized by US News and World Report for four consecutive years as one of the top secondary schools in nation. Now, more than ever, it a tremendous time to be a St. James Shark!
Over the last several years our school has seen a steady increase in virtually all notable measures of student achievement. Results from end-of-course examinations once again outpaced district and state averages. In light of realigned assessments and scoring guidelines at the state level, St. James teachers and students focused their efforts, and were able to produce the exceptional results that have become a part of the school's reputation. Student success on Advanced Placement exams also exceeds state and global means. These achievements are a testament to the culture of unwavering high expectations that has been embraced by all members of the St. James family.
To ensure that the school continues to enjoy such outstanding results, St. James faculty and staff have undertaken a number of initiatives intended to provide students with the individualized attention necessary to realize their full academic potential. One example includes a renewed commitment to serving our most at-risk students, including minorities and students with special needs. A committee of teachers and administrators are working diligently to provide these students with personalized attention and, more importantly, recognition for hard-earned success. To that end, we will also continue to implement a co-teaching model in several of our English and mathematics classrooms, providing these students with the extra support that is afforded from the presence of an additional instructor.
The school district's Personalized Digital Learning initiative provides our teachers with yet another avenue to individualize instruction in their classrooms, and it continues to redefine the teaching and learning paradigm. Through the integration of a number of digital content providers, teachers now have access to a veritable library of formative student assessment data, which can be leveraged to make real-time instructional decisions. When coupled with an emphasis on engaging, cooperative, small-group learning activities, the technology allocated through the PDL initiative provides every student with a learning experience that can be uniquely tailored to meet their needs.
As local, national, and global economies continue to evolve, students and parents understand the increasing importance of post-secondary learning. In addition to a solid college preparatory curriculum, in the fall of 2016 St. James launched the Advanced Placement Institute, a program intended to provide our most motivated students with the incentive to pursue the most rigorous course of study the school can provide. In the fall of 2019, St. James High School will offer its students no fewer than 22 Advanced Placement courses, including many that will appeal to non-traditional AP students, such as Music Theory, Studio Art, and Computer Science Principles. The most significant development on this front, is the inclusion of a new AP Capstone Diploma program in which students learn college-level research and writing skills while solving real-world problems and investigating issues they find interesting and relevant.
Our district's renewed focus on providing students with college and career-like experiences in the STEM fields will also impact St. James students during the upcoming school year. Beginning in the fall of 2019, Shark students will have the opportunity to enroll in the first of a series of Computer Science courses through the newly adopted Project Lead the Way initiative. Eventually, this course of study will allow interested students to explore several facets of computer science, including programming and cyber security. Most importantly, students who successfully complete the program will have an opportunity to earn a workplace credential.
St. James High's students also continue to demonstrate tremendous efforts away from the classroom. The Sharks' many athletic programs provide our students with an outlet for their competitive energies and foster a positive spirit within the community. St. James athletes and coaches had a remarkable year, including deep postseason runs for the lady's golf and men's baseball. Away from the playing field, a number of our clubs and organizations also demonstrated the value of hard work and dedication. From sports to robotics, the St. James family prides itself on helping each student who enters our school find a sense of purpose and belonging.
Ultimately, we understand that the rising test scores, academic accomplishments, and extracurricular achievements we continue to experience would not have be possible without the backing of dedicated parents and community partners. Remember, as a valued stakeholder in our school, your opinions are critical to our ongoing improvement, and we encourage you to get involved in our Shark Family to help us with our most important work - doing what is best for students. Working together, we can ensure that, like true Sharks, our school continues move in only one direction - FORWARD!
Vann Pennell, Principal
Jean Young, SIC Chair
