Belton Preparatory Academy (BPA) is ensuring all students develop the world-class skills, and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a unique educational experience, the first of its kind in South Carolina. At BPA, students experience a solid educational base through a challenging classical curriculum with an entrepreneurial focus. Our classical curriculum provides high-quality instruction in phonics, logic, literature, history, math, and science (STEM), while our entrepreneurial and free market competition component emphasizes the development of leadership qualities and learning behaviors such as taking positive risks, viewing errors as opportunities, working to recover from a mistake, giving and receiving feedback, asking questions, collaborating with peers, setting goals, planning with a purpose, and tracking personal progress. Students are provided opportunities to work collaboratively with group projects that foster critical thinking and problem-solving. At BPA, students experience rigorous academia and spirited competition within a safe and nurturing environment.
To further support student learning, BPA implemented a 1:1 technology initiative, providing each student with a Chromebook. Additional interactive boards and subscriptions to reading and math programs were purchased and utilized to support the instructional needs of both students and teachers. To support BPA’s reading initiatives, students participated in monthly reading challenges and reward parties. Classroom libraries were also built with books of varying interests and levels to meet the needs of all readers. Goals were set to measure each student’s academic growth; and MAP data was used, along with common assessments, to measure student progress. Teachers continually analyzed and monitored student data and used this data to differentiate instruction. Teachers and staff participated in meaningful staff development to study best practices and stay abreast of trends in teaching, learning, and technology. Teachers worked diligently this year to inspire, motivate, and equip students with the learning experiences necessary to ensure success in school and beyond.
At BPA, we believe that character development is just as important as academic progress. We are intentional about developing academically sound students who demonstrate virtue, character, and integrity and are prepared to compete in a global society. BPA uses Core Virtues to support this mission. Students are challenged to demonstrate and display these core virtues. They are recognized and rewarded for their efforts through our Student of the Week program. Kinsley Black represented BPA as our 2020-2021 Student of the Year and was also named the Charter Institute at Erskine’s Elementary Student of the Year.
High value is placed on our partnerships with parents, families, and community. Though COVID restricted us from many parent activities, parents did have the opportunity to participate face-to-face or via zoom in A Night on the Farm school-wide picnic, the drive-through Meet-the-Teacher parade, Coffee and Conversations, Title I Planning and Annual meetings, Fun Day, Field Day, Awards Day and K5 Graduation. Many other events were planned but canceled due to Covid19.
At BPA, we believe that every child is “created for greatness” and it is our responsibility to “position” each one for “success.” We believe that developing positive relationships with our students is key to their success, and we are intentional about modeling positive behavior and creating a nurturing environment for our students to develop the world-class skills and life and career characteristics they need to be competitive, compassionate, and productive citizens.
