W.A. Perry Middle School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills and the Life and Career Characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment. Our rigorous curriculum is steeped in opportunities to gain the essential 21st-century Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) skills that will be vital to their success in college and the workplace. Our staff strives daily to maintain high academic standards, to create a school culture that supports and challenges our students, and to provide the foundational skills for student success.
With a well-designed curriculum, students can develop the collaboration, teamwork, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills needed to prepare them adequately for a competitive job market. Literacy is the foundation for all classes and a skill that all students must possess to be successful. We believe engaging students with literary texts will build strong readers who will be prepared for college and their careers. Our teachers work together to ensure students have texts of varying interests and levels that are challenging and enjoyable. Because we believe in life-long learning, our staff embraces opportunities to grow professionally. Our teachers attend Read to Succeed endorsement courses, Problem-Based Learning, AVID, Visible Learning, and technology training, professional learning community (PLC) meetings at the school and district level, and national, state, and local conferences related to their curriculum areas. For the seventh year, we implemented Love of Literacy Month, which included Book in Day activities, an African-American Read-In Day, and guest author visits sponsored by the Office of Federal and State Programs. As Columbia’s first Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School program, a five-week summer literacy and cultural enrichment program designed to serve children and youth in grades K–12 in communities, the program has operated at W.A. Perry since 2012.
W.A. Perry Middle School does not limit collaboration and communication to just teachers. We aim to help students become creators, communicators, critical thinkers, and collaborators to succeed in school and compete globally. Programs are in place to support our students' academic, social-emotional, and safety. The Early Bird program provides early morning assistance with homework and tutoring five days a week. Students have five-forty-minute blocks each week for academic enrichment for ELA and Math intervention and to receive additional help from teachers. The five-day after-school program offers students the opportunity to receive academic assistance and participate in clubs and mentoring programs. Our students enjoy various opportunities in academics, technology, and career preparation. These opportunities include several high school credit courses, including Algebra I, English I, Geometry, Spanish I, and Computer Science. Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of fine arts programs and extracurricular activities. Our students enroll in Art, Band, Theatre, Orchestra, Spanish, Computer Science, Financial Literacy, Aerospace, Medical Detectives, and P.E. Students also participate in sports, community service projects, and clubs such as Sound Mixing, STEM, Mock Trial, Computer, Bully Busters, and Yoga.
At W.A. Perry Middle School, we also aim to provide students with many experiences and opportunities to develop skills for life and possible career paths. Our school counseling department and AVID site team feature a college or university of the month to develop an awareness of opportunities available to students in and out of the state. Additionally, students wear their favorite college colors or college shirts on the first Friday of the month for College Friday. Students could take virtual and face-to-face college tours and participate in events where parents, local businesses, and community leaders showcased their professions. Furthermore, we continued recognizing our students and teachers for their outstanding work and dedication to learning through our Eagle of Month, PBIS and academic celebrations, and staff recognition programs.
W.A. Perry is home to two magnet programs. Through the BLAST (Building Lasting Aerospace and STEM Trajectories) Aerospace Magnet Program, 6th-8th grade students are engaged in hands-on, Project Lead the Way curriculum through a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) approach with a focus on aviation and aeronautics. Our aerospace magnet students are supported by experiential learning, consisting of multiple projects throughout the school year that require planning, experimenting, data collection, presentation of results, and reflection. This rigorous, fast-paced curriculum challenges students to achieve high levels of engagement and success through our Project Lead the Way units built upon South Carolina state standards. The Medical Magnet Academy introduces students to various careers in health sciences. This early exposure to medical sciences will prepare our students academically for future opportunities in healthcare. The three-year program for middle school students emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and math skills that will help them understand the fundamental principles of careers in health care and prepare them to be 21st-century critical thinkers.
Our staff’s commitment to professional growth and dedication to providing a rigorous academic program is evident in the many accomplishments our students and staff have worked together to achieve. The following list is additional notable achievements from the 2023-2024 school year: 2 Richland One Middle School Honor Dance Members; 1 Richland One Middle School Jazz Honor Band Member; 7 Superior ratings-Solo and Ensemble; 5 Excellent ratings-Solo and Ensemble; 1 Junior Scholar; 5 Middle School Scholar; 26 New National Junior Honor Society Scholars; 23 New Beta Club Members; America's Healthiest Schools Awards Recipient; SC State Federal Credit Union Grant Recipient; 2024 Superintendent’s Book Club Middle School Winner; Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year District Finalists; Redesignated Common Sense Media School 2023-2024; and BLAST Magnet Program Featured in May 2024 SC Living Magazine.
While we celebrate our accomplishments in the 2023-24 school year, we continue to plan for success in the school year to come. As we move forward, the staff and community remain committed to the success of all students at W.A. Perry Middle School. With the support of our parents, community, and business leaders, as well as a dedicated SIC and PTO, we will continue to advance and strive for excellence.
Dr. Robin Coletrain, Principal
Dr. Andrea Gray, SIC Chair
