Every day students at St. Matthews K-8 School soar to success by empowering each other and learning how to compete in a global society with a positive impact. Our students learning environment are student centered through personalized and project-based learning pathways.
Teaching and learning for students and teachers focus on data analysis, goal setting, and a growth mindset of building efficacy in each other. Through the daily implementation of Cardinal Character activities, we cultivate and foster soft skills, and exercise social-emotional skills needed for healthy mental and physical health.
Our one-to-one technology initiative in Pre-K through eighth grades promote engineering, mathematics, arts, and the social sciences. Additionally, teachers continuously integrate writing strategies throughout all subject content. Our rigorous standards in language arts and math increase students’ critical thinking skills and prepare them for career and college readiness at an early age that prepares for future success as they continue to matriculate through school.
Through a partnership with Calhoun County High School and Orangeburg Technical College, we are in the fifth year of our Honor’s Academy learning track. Students who are participating in this program take honors courses at the middle school level and will receive an associate's degree at the end of their high school experience in our district. We also provide St. Matthews K-8 students with an array of enrichment programs such as Student Council, BETA Club, Gear Up, Pro Teachers, SC Forestry, RIDDE, and activities sponsored by Clemson Extension that instill lifelong skills such teamwork, collaboration, problem solving, and perseverance.
During the 2022-2023 school year, our school-helped students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate through authentic learning experiences and community outreach projects. Students were engaged in project-based studies, goal-setting exercises, choice assignments, blended and flipped classrooms. Students also volunteered in the neighborhood to assist with community clean up and support to the elderly. Students presented projects to parents and community members. Administrators, teachers, school counselors, parents, students, and community stakeholders collaborated to create a conducive learning climate beyond the school's wall.
The continual goal of St. Matthews K-8 School is to cultivate students to become world-class leaders who will positively impact our society. “Cardinals Soars! Every Day We Rise!”
Dr. Treda Keith Nelson, Principal
Dr. Shaniqua Hart, School Improvement Council Chairperson
