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Our school is helping all students develop the world class skills, and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing each student with experiences that focus on academics, as well as work skills with a strong emphasis on character. In order to achieve the profile, our staff models and allows time for individual exploration of the skills presented to our children. We want our students to learn specific information, but also how to solve problems, work together, and to have the life skills necessary to be successful in life. We strive for all students to become independent learners. Creativity and collaboration are essential elements in our instruction each day. Students are given many opportunities to work together to create projects and find solutions to problems. We believe our students are best served by a balance between academics, the arts, physical education and character education. Our instruction is enhanced by the use of Chromebooks, iPads, SmartTV systems, robots, virtual fieldtrips, wireless access, and Smart Response systems. McLaurin students in K-5th grade are provided an individual device to enhance their learning opportunities.
McLaurin currently serves students in 4K-5th grade in our Montessori program. The Montessori program offers our students a hands-on, individualized, rigorous academic program. Our teachers use small group instruction to meet the diverse needs of our children. Data driven instruction is used to ensure that every child is provided with the instruction they need to experience success. In addition to a strong core academic component, our students also receive instruction in physical education, art, music and technology. McLaurin offers extra- curricular activities for students as well including: band, chorus, violin, art club, Horizons, REACH, and PEARLS. Our PEARLS is a club that emphasizes life and career characteristics.
Our students and staff participated in several service projects during the school year. We held very successful food drives for the Salvation Army and a local organization, “Help for Kids” who provides weekend food bags to students in need. Students also participated in “Jump Rope for Heart” during the 2022-23 school year.
At McLaurin everyone is expected to learn and grow. This year our teachers were involved in extensive staff development in reading instruction, “Google Docs” as well as on-going Montessori training.
We are excited that the Florence One Board of Education approved a transition plan for McLaurin to split our students and staff. For the 2023-24 school year, we will offer Kindergarten through second grade at our McLaurin campus. Our upper Montessori classes third through fifth grade will be housed at the Lester location. This split will allow all McLaurin students to be housed in brick-and-mortar facilities and will eliminate the need for the mobile classrooms at McLaurin. The Montessori curriculum will be offered at both campuses. We are excited about the possibilities that this move will hold for our students.
We believe that having teachers working together to learn and grow models for our students what we expect of them. Together the McLaurin family will continue to strive for excellence with every child, every day!
