Langston Charter Middle School is helping all students develop the world-class skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by preparing middle-grade students for success in high school and beyond using a single-gender education model to deliver instruction aligned with the state standards with targeted strategies for the learning strengths of the developing boy and girl brains. Langston’s overarching philosophy, tied to its mission, focuses on students developing personal responsibility. This focus, guided by eight core values (challenging academics, small classes, leadership training, community service, parent involvement, school uniforms, ethical conduct, and patriotism), is the foundation for how the school operates and makes decisions. Langston utilizes this flexibility of pacing and mapping to tailor instruction for the student population to maximize student success. The results have led to consistent high achievement on national benchmark testing and statewide standardized testing. High expectations of students, in and out of the classroom, are built into the program to meet the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate's life and career characteristics of integrity, self-direction, global perspective, perseverance, work ethic, and interpersonal skills.
All students enroll in an advanced mathematics curriculum, including Algebra I Honors and Geometry Honors for those who qualify. Math instruction can be supplemented with online, adaptive programming designed to support areas of weakness and extend learning for those ready to move ahead.
English teachers address high-level standards as they focus on critical thinking, logical reasoning, use of multiple resources, and writing for various purposes. Qualifying eighth graders take English I Honors.
Students take three years of Spanish and finish 8th grade with one unit of foreign language credit.
Science teachers have collaborated with Berkeley’s Science Curriculum Project, implementing an innovative curriculum that addresses the Next Generation Science Standards and the ELA standards related to Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects.
Social studies teachers incorporate critical analysis, discussion, presentation, individual and group projects, field studies, and creative teacher-led instruction to help students develop an understanding of historical events and trends; physical and human geography; major figures in world, US, and state history; and the development of social, economic, and political structures across time. The revised sixth and seventh-grade standards were successfully incorporated.
In Leadership classes, students collaboratively research, write, and debate mock legislation for Youth in Government; research foreign nations for the Model UN conference; study current events and topics including personal finance and college preparation. Students engage in required community service activities throughout the year, contributing thousands of hours of service to local agencies annually. Book studies each year help students expand their local focus to a broader understanding of their community and world.
Students have access to 300 electronic devices spread among two PC labs and 8 iPad carts. The entire campus is served by a high-speed WiFi network. Students and teachers collaborate using Microsoft Teams. Every student is able to access Teams from home.
Every student is encouraged to take responsibility for his or her behavior and learning, attend academic assistance sessions as needed, and use all resources available to achieve success. Instruction is designed to ensure that all students are ready for high school and beyond.
David Wooten, Principal Corey Shick, Board Chair
