Our school is helping all students develop World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by fostering a culture that promotes and supports collaboration, communication and critical thinking. Even as we continue to navigate life during a pandemic, it was imperative that we prepare our students for the world stage. With that in mind, our faculty and staff took pride in developing the whole child and addressing those soft skills that are important to the success of our students beyond high school. Aligning with that goal and our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports initiative, we continued with the premise of always displaying Griffin P.R.I.D.E.: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence to ensure that Griffin Graduates are college and career ready. Additionally, Fairfield Central High School became an AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) school and embedded WICOR (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, Reading) strategies throughout every classroom.
Critical thinking is a fundamental skill that supports our motto of “Quality Teaching and Learning, Every Day for Every Student”. To support and enhance the toolbox of our teachers and to support AVID school-wide, our professional development has focused on WICOR strategies to assist students with re-acclimation to campus life. Our previous professional development sessions were rooted in researching and implementing strategies to have students truly engaged in learning and utilizing critical thinking skills to delve deeper into the coursework while virtual or face to face. AVID became our umbrella for best practices to help students succeed. Teachers have worked in departments to share ideas, lessons, assessments, and strategies that will promote critical thinking in a blended environment. The collaborative nature of the meetings prompted our teachers to critically think about the impact classroom instruction has on the achievement of the student. Our STEM/Dual Enrollment Coordinator continued as our resident Virtual Learning and Technology Coach to support our teachers. Our theme for this year was: We Survived, Now Lets Thrive. Recognizing the learning loss that was evident, we knew our theme had to focus on helping our students flourish and prosper to reach their full potential despite obstacles. Together, we were able to engage students in the learning process while exposing them to real-world experiences.
Creativity is a hallmark in the actions and success of our students at Fairfield Central High School. Our creativity is often recognized and displayed through athletics and the visual and performing arts. Academically, our students continue to reach new heights and create avenues to display their creative academic talents. At the culmination of the 2021-2022 school year, Fairfield Central High School had its fifth group of students graduate with an Associates’ Degree or General Studies Certificate from Midlands Technical College, prior to receiving their high school diplomas. This year we also had 3 students complete their Pre-Nursing Certificates from Midlands Technical College and, due to their stellar performance, were fully admitted into the Nursing Program. The creativity, innovation, communication, and collaboration required to complete college courses while in high school, are skills that epitomize the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. The success of these students has motivated other students to request unique, innovative scheduling options that will allow them to pursue and reap the benefits of the course offerings at Fairfield Central High School, Fairfield Career and Technology Center, and our collegiate partners. The number of students enrolled in dual credit classes has increased significantly within the past four years and we anticipate the demand to meet their creative academic needs.
Listed below are some of the accomplishments from the Class of 2022:
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26 students graduated from Midlands Technical College prior to High School Graduation
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Over 1500 College Hours Earned
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70% of students in the class of 2022 were accepted to a 2 or 4-year college or university to include but not limited to: Clemson University, Pomona College, Washington and Lee University, University of South Carolina, Coastal Carolina, College of Charleston, Benedict College-Columbia, University of South Carolina-Upstate, Francis Marion University, Midlands Technical College, Morris College, Newberry College, Columbia College, South Carolina State University, and Claflin University.
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41% of students in the Class of 2022 completed certifications at Fairfield Career and Technology Center
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6 graduates enlisted in the Armed Forces.
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3 Palmetto Fellows recipients
As members of our National Beta Club, National Honor Society and Academic Challenge Teams, students continued to have the opportunity to collaborate with students from around the state, nation, and even other countries. Our National Beta Club competed at the 2022 South Carolina State Convention and placed in the following categories: 2nd Place in Math 9th Grade, 2nd Place in Science 9th Grade, 1st Place in Spanish 10th Grade, 2nd Place in Spanish 11th Grade, 2nd Place in Speech Division I, 2nd Place in Mixed Media Division I, 1st Place in Onsite Drawing Division I, 3rd Place in Painting Division II, 3rd Place in Drawing Division I, 1st Place in Jewelry Division II, 1st Place in Apparel Design Division I, 1st Place in Marketing & Communications, 3rd Place in Freshman Problem Solving, 3rd Place in Performing Arts Group, 2nd Place in Show Choir, 2nd Place in Quiz Bowl Written, 1st Place in Robotics Showcase, 2nd Place Two Dimensional Design, and SC State Beta Vice President is our very own Ms. Jamya Kennedy. Our students continued to excel in athletics, clubs, and organizations, with our clubs and organizations increasing membership exponentially. Varsity football, volleyball, cross-country, girls and boys basketball, wrestling, boys tennis, baseball, softball, boys soccer, and track all qualified for playoff participation. Fairfield Central High School strives to equip all students with world-class knowledge and skills while ensuring they leave high school college and/or career ready.
Dr. Tracie Swilley, Principal Mrs. Sheila Pickett, SIC Chair
