Students at McKissick Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) seek to better themselves by engaging in multiple learning facets that promote World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. These skills have and will continue to improve student achievement in the classroom while maintaining a broad perspective for creating real-world solutions. In addition, our culture has been designed to tailor to each student’s needs within a school setting and their home environment. We strive to intentionally pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) excellence by becoming solution seekers who solve real-world problems through the Engineer and Design Process.
Within each classroom, students can use technology devices to explore their creativity, challenge their critical thinking skills, and allow students to collaborate with their peers. Teachers utilize the technology in the classroom and can do so seamlessly because of our 1:1 approach for every student in K-5 grades. These technology devices complement our instructional programs, such as STEM, in our regular classrooms and Shark Tank lab. These activities allow our students to research, create, and collaborate to share presentations with their peers and various audiences. Our fifth-grade students can create our own SHARK News Show while designing real apps with some of our Educational Partners for technical devices to help make our world easier or safer. Within the Shark Tank, we also have a certified computer science teacher that incorporates Project Lead the Way Curriculum and Engineering is Elementary through the Boston Museum of Science and our state science standards using the three pillars: Biomedical Science, Computer Science, and Engineering Design. This allows our students to be actively engaged when learning. Throughout our classrooms, teachers can incorporate Picture-Perfect STEM or Science through the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the Engineer and Design Process within PBL (Project Based Learning) units as well. Teachers incorporate PBL into daily classroom lessons to encompass all the subjects and standards. PBL allows students to think critically and problem-solve while learning the state standards. Specifically, we use a personalized math framework, allowing teachers to work with groups of different sizes while other students work independently on personal math goals. Similarly to math, reading has a framework where teachers teach a mini-lesson and then create small groups for a more personalized approach. This allows teachers to work with students on their levels in small guided reading groups while other students work in stations focusing on word work, writing, and reading comprehension. McKissick teachers also value professional development on all levels. Throughout the year, teachers attend professional learning communities each Friday. During those professional learning communities, teachers receive hands-on instruction with our district master teacher, Amanda Wylie, analyze data with our instructional leadership team, and work collaboratively with their grade-level teams and local education partners to help understand the real-world applications while incorporating those skills in the classroom. Along with school-level professional development, teachers also participated in PLC at Work training, Magnet Schools of America training, Picture-Perfect STEM Literacy work, Responsive Classroom Training, Project Lead the Way training, Universal Design of Learning in conjunction with Clemson University and National Science Foundation, Orton-Gillingham Training, Engineering is Elementary through the Boston Museum of Science and visited other nationally accredited STEM magnet schools. These professional learning opportunities help teachers steer instructional practices so that students value their critical thinking and solve problems for themselves. Upper elementary teachers also work closely with Clemson University and the National Science Foundation to create a curriculum to help other teachers incorporate STEM inside the classroom.
Our SHARKS positive behavior matrix is the foundation of our character education program. Within the classroom, hallway, lunchroom, bathrooms, bus, and playground, students are expected to act like “SHARKS.” The students know they must be successful, honest, active listeners, respectful, kind, and solution-seekers. Certain students are rewarded for demonstrating these skills daily. Some examples include positive SHARK behavior awards during their lunchtime, selection of Student of the Month, and Behavior Celebrations every nine weeks. Students are also recognized through our Honor Roll Calls every nine weeks to recognize those who have earned Honor Roll and/or Perfect Attendance. For the fourth and final nine weeks, students are also recognized at an awards evening for these honors. At McKissick, we have also incorporated Responsive Classroom's Morning Meeting and Closing Circle. Every morning, students meet with their classmates and teachers to discuss social-emotional areas that can help them become better students and people. Challenges are discussed, and teamwork skills are promoted and exercised during this time. Students genuinely enjoy building the classroom culture and family during this time. It allows the day to start positively.
Partnering with our community and businesses impacts our school in various ways. Our partnerships consist of United Way of Pickens County, Home Depot, Pickens County YMCA, Dodge’s Convenience Store, Young Chiropractic Group, Healthy Blue, Walmart of Easley, Lowes, AIRWORX, Sulzer, Galloway Trades LLC, Baptist Easley Hospital, Clemson University, and local churches help to foster student achievement. The YMCA provides free swimming lessons to all of our second-grade students and provides mentors for many students within our school. They also allow the school to use its facilities for various fundraisers and events.
McKissick Academy of Science and Technology provides various opportunities for the community to be involved and support the school. Every year, MAST has four significant family events, including an open house STEM creation evening and a night centered around our three pillars: biomedical science, computer science, and engineering design. These are themed-based to excite and engage the students and involve our parents. Parenting workshops are offered each month with various topics to assist students and parents. These workshops are targeted at specific grade levels to meet the needs of all of our students and families. Other events throughout the year are Real Men Read, Real Moms Read, All Pro Dad, and Read Across America. Conference nights are held twice a year to help parents have a one-on-one session with their child’s teacher. Title 1 Planning Meetings, PTO Meetings, School Improvement Council Sessions, and Volunteer Programs are other avenues McKissick works to build relationships with family and community members. This allows our students to grow in and out of the classroom and be equipped with the world-class skills of a South Carolina graduate.
Heather Touchberry
Principal
