The #1 neighborhood middle school in South Carolina, Moultrie is composed of a talented faculty and staff dedicated to improving the critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creative skills of ALL students--without exception. Focusing on these World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate, Moultrie continues its rich legacy of excellence in academics, athletics, social-emotional development, as well as fine arts.
Consistently raising the bar in order to improve Patriots’ critical thinking, faculty members provided rigorous, differentiated instruction tailored to meet the individual needs of all students regardless of their ability. Students continued to make significant achievement and growth gains during 2019-20 as measured by MAP and various other formative assessments. The overall percentage of students that met projected growth targets on MAP in ELA from fall to winter, for example, improved from 43.9% in 2018 to 59.9% in 2019. In math, projected growth gains grew from 44.5% in 2018 to 55.1% in 2019. Improved student attendance supported increased critical thinking opportunities for students, as chronic absenteeism significantly declined from 9.7% in 2018-19 to 3.1% in 2019-20.
Teaching critical thinking skills was essential to the preparation of Moultrie’s QUEST, Mock Trial, and Quiz Bowl teams which continued to earn top honors throughout the year. Award-winning 8th grade students also represented CCSD and South Carolina at the National History Day competition, while other students won the Pen Youth Essay Contest and CCSD’s Geography Bee.
Not only do Moultrie educators have high expectations for student achievement, but they also nurture the whole student by fostering a sense of confidence and by teaching skills related to self-advocacy, collaboration, and communication. This year’s implementation of Second Step and introduction of a new Mindfulness Room encouraged students’ self-reflection and improvement. Two new group initiatives also positively affected students--Moultrie MEN and CLEVER. Likewise, Moultrie’s Women In Charge leaders inspired this growth mindset.
The diverse course and club offerings Moultrie makes available to its students further prompted creativity, collaboration, and communication throughout the year, along with opportunities to think critically about the 21st century world: advanced art, creative writing, jazz band, an online World Cultures course, Medical Detectives, Flight and Space, Spanish 1, Algebra 1, Green Architecture, Automation and Robotics, App Creators, Culinary Club, Space & Astronomy Club, Green Team, Student Council, and Sign Language Club. Critical thinking and creativity are also trademarks of Moultrie’s performing arts ensembles, which boasted top honors throughout the year; this year’s band was even selected to perform at the South Carolina Music Educators Conference.
While affording students the opportunity to communicate with one another inside the building, educators also taught students how to engage with others outside of school. For example, Patriots led a panel discussion alongside the Slave Dwelling Project, What We See: Young People’s Perspective on the Reconstruction Era, collaborated with the Bridge Arts Ensemble, worked with elementary-aged students at Mt. Pleasant Academy, and learned from leaders at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center.
Although Patriots experienced much success throughout the year, at the core of Moultrie’s work is teaching Patriots the importance of being good citizens and giving back to others. Students started Moultrie's own Bitty and Beaus coffee cart, participated in Autism Awareness, engaged in an Anti-Bullying Summit, celebrated World Kindness Day, and promoted Unity Day. They also extended community outreach efforts via various service projects to numerous organizations including Toys for Tots, Lowcountry Food Bank, Pet Helpers, Charleston Promise Neighborhood, Lowcountry Down Syndrome Association, and the US Armed Forces.
These things, coupled with dedicated parents and community members, make us Patriot Proud!
Anita W. Huggins, Principal
Debbie Doyle, SIC Chair
