Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by working to create One Team-One Family-One Community. At Pelion High School we are focused on creating a culture where each student can feel empowered and take advantage of learning experiences and opportunities that foster self-advocacy and a sense of belonging. Our school day has a designated 'Panther Time' (Advisory) with a different focus for each day of the week. Mondays are 'Mindfulness Mondays' when students learn about the 7 Mindsets. Tuesdays and Thursdays are known as 'Tune-Up Days' when students participate in 'Zap the Zeros', Academic Blitzes or Test Preparation. Wednesdays are WICOR days when the focus is on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading. Fridays are called 'High Five Fridays'. Staff members typically greet students with a high-five as they arrive on campus and the culture is of a family. The entire school unites on Fridays to celebrate student successes, award incentives to students who have met goals or to hold Town Hall Meetings with grade levels. Every other Friday, students participate in a club of their choice, with a focus on strengthening social skills, academic skills or leadership skills.
This year our students and staff were introduced to the 7 Mindsets. This curriculum focuses on having a growth mindset, being optimistic, learning how to handle failure, learning paths to happiness, becoming socially aware and culturally competent and learning how to make good decisions. Different members of the Administrative and Counseling Team provided a weekly overview for the week's lesson and teachers facilitated those lessons to students in their Advisory class. The 7 Mindsets curriculum aligns to our school's motto: One Team-One Family- One Community. We look forward to seeing the impact the 7 Mindsets will have on the culture of our staff and students as we implement with greater fidelity next year.
This year was a growth year for Pelion High School. At the beginning of the year, multiple types of data were analyzed and a school work plan was developed. Areas of focus included attendance college and career readiness and academic achievement (as shown on EOCEPs in Algebra 1, Biology, English 2 and US History and Constitution.
In order to increase student attendance, we communicated with parents and students via Parent Square Messages, conferences, phone calls and letters mailed or hand-carried by students of the importance of being at school. District policies were followed with regards to excused absences, conducting attendance intervention plans and enforcing the state expectation for required seat time. We saw a significant reduction in the number of students who owed seat time for unexcused absences in semester 2 as compared to semester 1. We also had goo success with student and parent conferences on the topic of being at school and taking advantage of a quality education. Graduation coaches, administrators and counselors were all a part of helping to facilitate such conversations. Administrators also held Town Hall meetings to go over the expectations of being at school, required seat time and completing school work by the due date(s). We expect our students to be at school and to do their personal best while at school. As a school team, we are teaching our students to be accountable for their decisions (attendance, discipline and academic requirements). We are proud of the improved attendance rate for our school, however, there is still room for continued growth.
Another area of growth our school saw was the number of seniors meeting college and career readiness indicators. This year our school experienced an increase in the 4-year cohort graduation rate, an increase in the number of students pursuing a post-high school degree, an increase in the number of college applications being completed and an increase in the number of students eligible for the LIFE Scholarship. Pelion High School also saw a decrease in the dropout rate. Consistent measures such as student and parent conferences with graduation coaches and counselors, test preparation, Academic Blitz opportunities, enrollment in advanced courses, internship opportunities, college application assistance and celebrating student successes all contributed to the increase in the number of students who were on-track to graduate.
Our students also showed gains in academic growth goals (English, Math, Science and Social Studies) this school year. There was an increase in the percentage of students earning a C average or higher in their content courses. More students demonstrated their progression of on-time learning with the prerequisite skills for success. Our mid-year and end of the year data showed an increase in the percentage of students passing their End of Course Examinations for Algebra 1, English 2, Biology and US History and Constitution, across all student demographics. The intentional scheduling of Advisory, with a specific focus for each day, opened up the opportunities for students to receive additional support. 'Zap the Zeros' was a time for students to have during the day to make up missing work or to retake an assessment. Academic Blitzes focused on test-taking skills and main topics of learning to be assessed in a content area. Test-preparation opportunities were also held prior to WIN, ASVAB, PSAT, SAT and the ACT. We also sponsored an Extended Day Program for students interested in receiving extra support in English and Math. This program was facilitated by our teachers.
As we prepare for the 2024-25 school year, we are excited to help all of our students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.
Sean Bishton, Principal
Jesse Zeaser, SIC Chair
