Sterling School is helping all students develop the world-class skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment. Our school’s collective success is the result of a dedicated staff, working diligently to provide opportunities that enable our students to achieve their fullest potential in collaboration with supportive families and community members.
Sterling School seeks to provide a robust academic experience through differentiated, student-centered instruction. We emphasize the 4 C’s (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication) through our personalized approach to teaching and learning. Sterling provides a unique, innovative instructional program that includes guided practice, project/inquiry-based learning, STEM, 1:1 Chromebook initiative, and the integration of the arts.
Though many continuing challenges brought by the COVID pandemic were experienced, 2021-2022 was a banner year! Sterling School was named a U.S. News & World Report Best Elementary (#16 in state) and Best Middle School (#1 in state). We were also honored with the 2021 William “Bill” T. Wylie V.A.L.U.E.D. Lives Award for School Excellence in Diversity. The annual award was presented by the Greenville Chamber and the Riley Institute at Furman University at the 2021 Upstate Diversity Leadership Awards. Furthermore, Sterling received the 2021 Sylvia Palmer Sustainable Educator School Award from Sustaining Way, a local nonprofit that uses education, collaboration, and advocacy to create sustainable, caring, and equitable communities. Finally, Sterling School was recognized as a National PTA School of Excellence. This award recognizes the critical partnership with our PTA to enrich the educational experience and overall wellbeing for all students.
Many of our students received notable recognitions this year. Thirteen students placed at this year’s Jr. Beta State Convention; two students received first place in categories of poetry and science. One student received first place in the category of Junior Math and Technology at the SC Region 1 Science Fair at Southern Wesleyan University. One student was selected for the 2021 Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship for Gifted Learners. In the annual Middle and Elementary School Academy of Science Contest, we had two school winners, four regional winners, and four grand winners. Six students represented our school at this year’s state MathCounts competition; Sterling School received first place in team, one student received first in individual and two students advanced to nationals. One student placed second in state and among the top 20 in this year’s national Math Kangaroo competition. Both elementary and middle school Battle of the Books (BOB) teams won this year’s Championship Trophy. One student tied for first and won second place in tie-break at this year’s South Carolina Scholastic Chess Championship. The student also received the Hannah Whatley G.R.I.T. Award and will represent the state in the Susan Polgar Girls Invitational Tournament.
Many of our students, individually and collectively, also found success in the visual and performing arts. Seventeen students were named to the SC Music Education Association Region 2 Orchestra, eight students were selected for All County Orchestra, and four students were named to All State Orchestra. Seven students were named to All County Band, seven students were named to Region Band, and three students were named to All State Band. Both orchestra and band programs achieved the state’s highest recognition, the Outstanding Performance Award. Nineteen students were selected for this year’s Piccolo Spoleto Festival and one student was accepted as a Junior Finalist in the 2022 Middle School Honors Performance Series to perform at Carnegie Hall. Three students received State Award of Excellence in this year’s PTA Reflections Program; seven student received State Award of Merit. Additionally, an eighth-grade student placed first in the Youth Art Month SCAEA Visual Art Show (Southeast Division).
Several members of our faculty and staff also received recognition over the 2021-2022 school year. Third grade teacher, Mrs. Lisa Helsel, was named Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Helsel also published an article in The Reading Teacher entitled Responsive Teaching in the Writer’s Workshop. Mr. Jeremy Murphy, assistant principal, was named one of Upstate Parent Magazine’s “10 Educators Who Make a Difference.” Ms. Jackie Lecaroz, a middle school science teacher, was a recipient of a Public Education Partners’ Building STEAM grant. Members of our faculty also made several presentations at the following state and national conferences: ASCD (Patterson), NAGC (Baiden, Newell, Reynolds), PSSCA (Tchouros), SCASA (Harris, Murphy, Patterson), SCASL (Matthews), and SCAMLE (Baiden, Newell, Reynolds).
At Sterling, we are living out our mission by preparing students for “tomorrow’s world.” We believe everyone must share the educational responsibility of preparing our students...#WholeChild, #WholeSchool, #WholeCommunity! On behalf of the Sterling School faculty and staff, we are grateful to our families and community members for your continued commitment to our school.
Dr. Josh Patterson, Principal
Lindsay Metcalf, SIC Chair
