Gettys Middle School students, staff, and community are “Making Gettys Great” and are helping all students develop world class skills. Our staff commits to providing a safe and academically rigorous learning environment to fulfill our vision of “Gettys Greatness.”
World class skills begins with world class teachers. Our teachers proven results are directly related to the high expectations they set for our students academically. Our teachers are engaging students with more project-based learning and increased problem solving. Innovative programs are the focus of our STEM initiatives. Our school received national recognition for our commitment to empowering students by being named a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Distinguished School for STEM and career learning. Gettys Middle is one of the few middle schools across the state of South Carolina to achieve this designation. We had more than 50 percent of the student body participating in STEM classes such as Medical Detectives and Design and Modeling. Also, over 25% of our eighth graders will transition to the high school with completion of two or more PLTW STEM classes. Students used their creativity and innovation in our technology infused 1:1 device program, glider design challenge, rocket launches, and numerous service projects.
Collaboration and teamwork activities are incorporated into all classes and beyond the school day with our focus on programs that occur after school, including our Gettys University after-school program. Our Gateway to Technology classes and Robotics Clubs led a team of students that were one of the top Vex Robotics middle school teams in the state. Collaboration is also evident in our outstanding Arts programs where our students showcased our school’s first musical. Over 65% of our students choose to be in our Arts programs, which have produced award winning programs and a STEAM focus for our school. Programs offered to help our students become college and career ready also include courses for high school credit such as English I, Algebra I, Google Basics, Financial Literacy and Multimedia Basics. We offered virtual classes in foreign languages and computer sciences to offer a global perspective and more choice for our students. Athletically, all of our athletes showed teamwork and our football and volleyball teams celebrated a region and tournament championship.
Our school and community are dedicated to developing our student’s world class skills. Our school offers a 1:1 device program for all students to incorporate digital learning. Additional partnerships with Pickens County Career and Technology Center through our Junior Apprenticeship Program, Majesty Nursing Home service hours with our academic honor clubs, and Tri-County Technical College’s career showcase all expose our students to real world applications of their learning. Communication skills were enhanced by our media center club’s student-produced book review news show as well as student’s leadership in our Veterans Day and Black History Month programs that celebrate our citizenship and diversity.
We are extremely grateful to our students, families, PTO and volunteers for joining us in the development of our future graduates and leaders!
Shannon Yousey, SIC Chairperson
Dr. Mike Cory, Principal
