Dutch Fork Middle School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by creating an educational environment that ensures all students succeed in school and in life.  Teachers and staff understand that the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired now will be the foundation for future learning.  At Dutch Fork Middle School, instruction is focused on the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by ensuring that all students develop the skills and career characteristics needed for success beyond the classroom.  The faculty and staff strive daily to maintain high academic standards, to create a school culture that supports and challenges our students, and to provide the foundational skills for student success.

This year Dutch Fork Middle School's exemplary faculty, staff, and students continued to demonstrate their collective dedication to academic, artistic, and athletic success.  Teachers, students, and families were challenged with adapting to multiple instructional models and continued to make academic gains as evidenced by NWEA Map scores, District Level Benchmark Tests, and EOC Algebra I scores.  Students continued to earn recognition in extracurricular achievements with excellent seasons in football and basketball.  As safety protocols were lifted, our arts programs were able to deliver top-notch performances in the months of May and June.  Extracurricular activities like Beta Club conducted a variety of service projects throughout the school and community. 

For the past few years, our school has incorporated a STEAM focus.  This focus provides opportunities for students to engage in the 21st Century Skills of collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and communication.  Two areas in which we intentionally focused on were "communication" and "collaboration."  Teachers stepped out of their comfort zones and learned new ways to communicate instruction to students through increased use of Google Classroom, frequent Google Meet sessions, and adapting a variety of apps to deliver high-yield instructional strategies.  Students were faced with the challenge of learning virtual and collaborating with one another through breakout rooms within Google Meet, as well as chatting questions, answers, thoughts, and reflections through Google Meet and other resources such as PearDeck and Flipgrid. 

In keeping with our district’s iFive Project Goals, this is the seventh year that our students have had Chromebooks. Students at Dutch Fork Middle School continued to be adept at downloading instructional materials, researching and discerning reliable sources of information, and updating classwork into a digital environment.  Students used their devices to create authentic work such as essays, videos, artwork, and digital presentations, as well as to enhance communication skills. Students posted and responded to online academic discussions, and learned lifelong skills of managing time and organizing academic work in a digital environment.

At Dutch Fork Middle School it is also our goal to provide our students with experiences and programs of study that will help them to become good citizens. Our school continues to improve and expand its Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program that teaches students desirable behaviors and rewards them when they do the right thing.  We believe in the importance of teaching and practicing "soft skills."  These efforts contribute to preparing our students for the future, while at the same time engaging them to demonstrate their FoxPride characteristics of Positivity, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence. 

At Dutch Fork Middle School we are "Making Connections... Shaping the Future."

Vernon Sava, Principal

Jessica Finney, SIC Chairperson