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 partnered with supportive families and community members, working diligently to provide opportunities that enable our students to achieve their fullest potential and prepare them for tomorrow’s world.
Sterling School is a dynamic, exciting environment in which to learn and grow. We seek to provide robust academic experience through differentiated, student-centered instruction that encompasses data-informed decision making, meaningful technology, and arts/STEM integrated experiences. We emphasize the 4 C’s (critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and communication) through our personalized approach to teaching and learning. The positive environment at Sterling is maintained through a variety of opportunities to support and celebrate student achievement and the skills learned through real world application.
This year, Sterling School received an EXCELLENT state report card rating at both the elementary AND middle school levels. The annual report cards, published by the South Carolina Department of Education, factor in multiple data points, test scores, and surveys. The report attempts to measure a school’s academic achievement, student progress, college and career readiness and school climate.
Many of our students received notable recognitions this year. With regards to scholastic/academic achievements: forty-five students scored PERFECT on at least one section of SC Ready; fifty-nine students were inducted into our Jr. Beta Club; sixty-one students were named Junior Scholars; seven students placed first at this year’s Jr. Beta Convention (4 elementary, 3 middle). In MathCounts, Sterling School placed third overall at state competition. Both elementary and middle school Battle of the Books (BOB) teams won this year’s Championship Trophy. In the annual South Carolina Academy of Science Contest, Sterling had five school winners, four regional winners, thirteen state winners, and ten grand winners. One First Lego League team from our school advanced to World Festival (Texas) and a second participated in the Razorback Invitational (Arkansas). One student received First Class Distinction in this year’s National Council of Teachers of English Promising Young Writers Program.
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 All County Orchestra, twelve were selected for Region, and six students were named to All State. In band, eight students were selected for All County, eight students were selected for Region, and one student was named All State. Both orchestra and band programs achieved the state’s highest recognition, the Outstanding Performance Award. One student received state Award of Excellence and two students received state Award of Merit in this year’s PTA Reflections program. One student was selected as a Junior Finalist in the 2023 Middle School Honors Performance Series to perform at Carnegie Hall. One student received Best in Show in the district’s elementary art show.
Several members of our faculty and staff also received recognition over the 2022-2023 school year. Fifth grade teacher, Heather Hartman, was named Sterling School’s Teacher of the Year. Second grade teacher, Ebony Nye, was named Upstate Parent Magazine “10 Educators Who Make a Difference.” Dr. Mary Tchouros, school counselor, received the Palmetto State School Counselors Association’s honor as South Carolina’s School Counselor of the Year. Finally, Sterling School principal, Dr. Josh Patterson, was named Greenville County Schools Administrator of the Year.
At Sterling School, 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 and support of our school.
Dr. Josh Patterson, Principal
Catherine Schumacher, SIC Chair
