Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy has established a tradition of helping all students develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. By focusing on an educational program that is centered on students’ academic, social, and emotional growth, Busbee Creative Arts Academy gives support to the whole child while providing an exceptional middle school experience. Busbee teachers and staff work in collaborative teams on all aspects of content curriculum and social and emotional learning. The school also embraces instructional technology and an arts-infused curriculum that creates an interactive learning environment for all middle-aged students.
In the spring of 2023, Busbee Creative Arts Academy was one of three schools in South Carolina recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community at Work School. These schools are recognized by Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. The staff at Busbee recognizes the key to improved learning for students is on-going, job-embedded learning for the staff who serve those students.
With an arts focus and the expansion of a STEAM lab, Busbee Creative Arts Academy continues to help students become skilled in the areas of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. It also allows for collaboration with peers to complete various projects and activities. This spring, the students and staff participated in the West Columbia Kinetic Derby Day Parade and was awarded the Kids STEAM Day Creation award.
Students in our fine arts magnet program are immersed in opportunities to work together in both innovative and creative ways to learn to solve problems and communicate effectively. Those students who are members of the Visual Performing Arts Company have enhanced opportunities to further develop their world-class skills through productions, showcases, and competitions.
The 2022-2023 school year provided many highlights for the arts. In the spring, Busbee produced the musical, “Guys and Dolls, Jr.” The show featured students from all grade levels in order to showcase school-wide talent and arts experienceThe VPAC dancers received a sapphire rating and placed 3rd overall in the Inspire Dance Competition as the only public school competing. At Concert Performance Assessment, the Band scored an overall Superior rating. They followed this performance with a Superior rating at the Carowinds Music Festival later in the spring. Also participating at the Carowinds Music Festival, the VPAC chorus received an Excellent rating. In strings, several students performed at the State Solo and Ensemble Festival, receiving Superior and Excellent ratings. The VPAC theatre students received a Superior rating in Group Performance and Solo Acting at the SCSTA theatre competition.
Additionally, Busbee continued its advisory program focusing on small collaborative groups, social, mental, and behavioral strategies important to their development as adolescents. Guided by their advisory teachers or staff members, students developed meaningful relationships with trusted adults, improved social skills, developed positive character traits, and were exposed to leadership skills that will help them throughout life. In addition to the advisory program, Busbee implemented clubs once a month for students and staff.
Busbee continues to support students through the implementation of Restorative Practices as a framework for handling student behavior. Teachers receive annual training in behavior procedures and do their best to handle issues at the teacher-student level. Restorative Practices have provided an opportunity to continue building relationships in our building, effectively strengthening our school culture.
At Cyril B. Busbee Creative Arts Academy, learning is a shared responsibility enhanced through the arts, where students grow in confidence and a sense of belonging through diverse programs in academics, arts, technology, and athletics. These efforts ensure our students are college and career ready while building a foundation of service and commitment.
Stephanie Hucks, Principal
Chris Maddox, SIC Chair
