Pee Dee Math, Science, and Technology Academy (PDMSTA) is a tuition-free public charter school. Its inaugural year was fall of 2013. PDMSTA offers a unique approach to students located in the heart of the rural Pee Dee region of South Carolina. PDMSTA served students kindergarten through ninth grade for the 2018-2019 academic year, expanding to tenth grade for the 2019-2020 school year. The staff consists of thirteen full-time teachers, a part-time speech therapist, a part-time psychologist, and a part-time special education coordinator. PDMSTA has a part-time registered nurse on staff. The part-time psychologist provides multiple strategies and interventions for social and emotional support for students. PDMSTA also has a Learning Design Coach who works closely with Executive Director Bailey, along with an academic consulting team to provide support to students and parents. In addition, several classified positions provide academic and school climate support, including clerical staff and food service employees. PDMSTA has 182 students.
Students receive development of their English Language Arts (ELA) skills in programs such as Skills Navigator, Study Island, Coach Digital, Reading Eggs, and Reading A-Z. Moreover, a comprehensive reading plan supports the reading development for emergent and independent readers. Small group assistance is administered in all grades through Response To Intervention (RTI).
The curriculum model used by our school is helping students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. PDMSTA is a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) school that uses a curriculum based on the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model and Learner-Active, Technology-Infused Classroom (LATIC) structure. Through this blend of curriculum models, students engage in authentic learning units that foster their executive function skills. Through connected learning, students receive 21st-century teaching, dynamic curriculum, and differentiated instruction where engagement, empowerment, and efficacy is developed. Students at PDMSTA are inspired to apply knowledge by building their social capacity through collaborative learning and a built-in Social Emotional Learning program that is embedded throughout the curriculum.
Teachers collaborate through frequent Professional Learning Communities where innovative and best practice strategies are shared. Teachers are challenged to overcome teacher-bias, help students develop their unique voice, and parents and other stakeholders strengthen our learning community by helping to build structural supports for all students.
Pee Dee Math, Science, and Technology Academy has a team in place to help students who experience academic and/or behavioral difficulties. The team consisting of both school faculty and parents meets to develop interventions to help students experience success in the classroom.
Technology is a vehicle used to deliver and reinforce the curriculum. Students and teachers use technology to research information that supports the content area. Interactive Promethean boards and student response systems are integrated daily. Various technology platforms are used to provide differentiated instruction to support student growth and progress.
PDMSTA strives toward increased student enrollment as outlined in its School Improvement Plan. PDMSTA is proud to see the percentage of student enrollment increasing continuously since its inaugural year. Additionally, the school has set grade-level academic learning goals in each content area with a school-wide focus on supporting students in developing their skills in speaking and writing to facilitate individual and collaborative learning. This year the school will continue to focus on increasing the Writing and ELA achievement in all grades.
The PTO sponsors two Scholastic Book Fairs, Fall Festival, a Golf Tournament, and many other fundraisers to assist in supporting student achievement. The School Improvement Council meets regularly to review the curriculum and academic progress. The school has an after-school program that provides academic assistance to students requiring additional support.
PDMSTA has a productive community that takes an active interest and role in our school. The partnerships we have formed with various non-profit organizations, businesses, and individuals have strengthened our program and services. We are proud of the generosity and giving spirit that is embodied in the students, parents, community members, faculty and staff of Pee Dee Math, Science, and Technology Academy.
Students are administered a MAP Benchmark Assessment during the fall, winter, and spring. Parent-teacher conferences are held in October, January and March to provide parents and teachers an opportunity to discuss in greater detail students' report cards issued quarterly. Students lead the conferences allowing parents to hear their child’s reflection on their goals and strategies for improvement.
Our enrollment constitutes 67% African American students, 26% White students, 7% other students. Pee Dee Math, Science, and Technology Academy began its first year with grades kindergarten through grade two. As a result of an increased need for more grades, grades, three through eight were added subsequent years and grade nine in the sixth year.
The school provides a variety of topics monthly to assist with parent success through our Parent University sponsored by our Parent Connect Team. Sessions include topics such as: Effective Teacher-Child Communication, Enhancing Children's Self-Esteem, and Understanding Your Child's Personality, just to name a few. In addition, PDMSTA hosts Grandparents Day, Pastries for Parents, Career Day and other events requiring parent involvement. Parents are encouraged to participate in the PTO, volunteer to help at events, volunteer in the classrooms, as well as become classroom moms/dads.
PDMSTA’s mission is to develop innovative, confident, self-motivated citizens through a math, science, and technology curriculum enhanced with collaborative community learning partnerships. Its vision is a community working together to prepare students for success in a global economy. Together we make our world better: one vision, one voice, is the school’s motto. The mantra of the school summarizes the school-wide rules and expectations students aim to achieve each day. Reciting our mantra: I am positive, I am mindful, I am present, and I am of service promotes an attitude. of readiness in our student as they aim for strive for excellence each day.
