Estill Middle School is committed to helping all students develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing rigorous, personalized environments of academic excellence that prepares Each Child, Each Day, and in Every Classroom to be college/career and citizen ready.  Our teaching and learning environments support social-emotional learning, mastery of the academic standards, and opportunities for remediation and acceleration. We are a Title I school that serves approximately 150 5th – 8th grade students. 

The district’s mission is provide all students with the highest quality education that equips them to succeed in an evolving world. Our vision is to, “Empowering students to achieve excellence and positively impact the global community.” Below you will find a list of this year’s initiatives/strategies for continuous improvement:

1.  Intervention- a 60-minute intervention period is included in each student’s daily schedule (Gator Time of two sessions at 30 minutes each).  Two of the programs we use with our Tier 2 and 3 reading and math students are described below: 

• Read 180 – is blended learning intervention program that builds reading comprehension, academic vocabulary, and writing skills for struggling students.
• Math 180® is an engaging and motivating digital math intervention program with flexible print for students in middle school who need to build foundational skills to close skills gaps and to successfully transition to Algebra.

1. Acellus (Science and Social Studies) – Acellus is a learning accelerator.  It uses video-based lessons with cutting-edge technology to accelerate learning, elevate standardized test scores, reduce dropout rates and transition more students into careers and college. 
2. No Referral Socials/Parties-Students that meet expectations are invited to participate in competitions and celebrations.  Free food and entertainment were provided for all eligible participants
3. Activities and Clubs- students participated in clubs such as STEM, Weightlifting, Gentlemen’s Club, Girls’ Club, Percussion Band, Football, Volleyball, Cheerleading, Boys' and Girls' Basketball, Track, and Chorus, and etc… to give our students opportunities to lead, collaborate, and work together. 
4. SC State 1890 Research & Extension- this year we partnered with S.C. State to offer a leadership club to a selected group of students.  Students participated in club sessions and field trips throughout the year.
5. Eighth Grade Prom-Parents of eighth graders sponsored a prom for the students to allow them an opportunity to experience a formal setting and to showcase their dinner etiquette and formal attire in a safe and structured environment.
6. College and Career Exploration- we have School Counselor/Assistant Principal that incorporates college and career development information or skills with students. 
7. Second Step Social Emotional Curriculum- Middle school is a time of change. Second Step helps teach powerful skills and competencies—like handling strong emotions, setting and meeting goals, making good decisions, and forging positive relationships—while building the safe, supportive learning environment middle schoolers need to succeed. We continue to use this program on SEL Mondays and during our small group guidance sessions. 
8. Family Nights/IGP Night- this year families were invited to participate in several informational evening sessions ---- Literacy Night, Assessment Night, Winter Program, and SIC Nights.  Our students did a phenomenal job leading some of those sessions.
9. Middle School Band-Students in grade 6th-8th have an opportunity to participate in the middle school band program to assist refining the skills necessary to be successful in high school band.
10. iReady-Student take the iReady assessment three times a school year to assist in monitoring the progress of students in their ELA and Math course.  Teachers utilize this data to guide instruction and intervention sessions during “Gator Time.”
11. Groom and Grow-This is an outreach program with church and law enforcement organizations that help some of our trouble youth through eating lunch, attending special events, and shadowing students for a period time during the school day and after school events.

At Estill Middle school we work hard to provide a safe and supportive environment that cultivates character, fosters positive social-emotional behaviors, and inspires the love of learning for all students.  We look forward to continuing to serve the amazing students of this community as we look forward to the many opportunities for success the 2025-2026 school year will bring.

Success Is the ONLY Option!

Jody Hadwin, Principal