Blacksburg Middle School (BMS) is helping all students develop the world-class knowledge, skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by preparing students to excel as productive and responsible members of society and by providing rigorous instruction and extracurricular programs in academics, athletics and the arts. We enjoyed and celebrated a Report Card rating of Excellent for the 2017-2018 school year.
Blacksburg Middle School teachers implemented the first year of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) for 8th grade students. The program will be implemented at all grade levels in the 2019-2020 school year. Positive Behavior Incentives and Supports (PBIS) was also implemented during this year. Students had the opportunity to earn “Wildcat Cash” for positive behavior. The Guidance Teachers, along with student helpers, operated the ROAR Store where students could spend their cash. Teachers participate in school, district, and self-selected professional development to be well equipped to challenge our students to reach their full potential. South Carolina standardized assessments, STAR 360, and classroom assessment data are the basis for informing and creating instructional plans using SC College-and Career-Ready Academic Standards. District instructional initiatives, Leveled Literacy Intervention resources, and Response to Intervention (RtI) research-based strategies are utilized to improve academic weaknesses and accelerate strengths.
The 2018-2019 school year saw a focused effort to improve world-class knowledge and student engagement as teachers offered instruction in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through Project Lead the Way (PLTW). Students acquired world-class skills through innovative thinking, problem solving, collaboration, technology, coding, media, and communication. Students used personal devices (laptops) to expand research and communication capabilities and access assignments from outside the school setting. For many families, these devices provided opportunities to improve personal computing skills, broaden the research opportunities, and improve communication between the home and school. Collaborative research resulted in completed projects presented to peers, members of faculty and staff, parents, and community members. Project work provided opportunities for students to improve research and communication skills while making real-world connections to curriculum.
In addition to the standard curriculum, BMS students experienced increased opportunities to improve personal integrity and life and career characteristics by participating in the Junior Achievement Program, Character Education classes, and career fairs to strengthen soft skills and provide opportunities for career awareness. In addition, students were given the opportunity to increase their global perspective by participating in multiple planned experiences to travel off location for field trips that strengthen and support curriculum connections.
BMS celebrates student accomplishments and recognized three Junior Scholars, two Limestone College Honors Band recognitions, and numerous writers, artists, and athletes. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade student teams participated in Academic Challenge, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), and the Lego Robotics Team represented BMS well at local and state challenges. The Lego Robotics Team won a Golden Ticket to the SC Lego Robotics Competition.
Service, work ethic, and improving interpersonal skills are important at BMS and students and faculty participated in community service projects such as providing for local Veterans a delicious meal to celebrate Veteran’s Day to recognize and honor their service to our country. Students collected can tabs for the Shriner's Hospital for Children, raised funds for Meals on Wheels, March of Dimes, and Relay for Life. For a local service project, students collected over 700-canned food items for a community food pantry, and FCA students participated internationally in Operation Christmas Child (OCC) by collecting over 200 shoeboxes and working at the collection center in Charlotte, NC. These students also collected over 1,000 paper good items for the Cherokee County Children's Home. These initiatives are woven together by the faculty and staff of Blacksburg Middle School in a purposeful effort to assist students’ growth in service to others.
Students’ academic and personal growth are the priority at BMS. Ensuring that students complete each school year with the world-class knowledge, world-class skills, and the life and career characteristics necessary to be successful at the next level is the goal of all stakeholders.