Mid-Carolina Middle School is helping all students develop the World Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by striving for levels of excellence in learning and providing opportunities to nurture the development of informed global citizens. Through the Profile of the SC Graduate and the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, Mid-Carolina Middle School is designated as one of nearly 400 schools around the nation to facilitate optimal learning for all students to enable them to lead fulfilling lives in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex society. During the 2022-2023 school year, Mid-Carolina Middle received Redesignation 2 status as a National School to Watch. We continue to push all students and staff on a trajectory of excellence.
MCMS promotes World Class Knowledge by offering Carnegie Units for English I and Algebra I. We continued to maintain high levels of literacy in all classes to include reading, writing, and speaking. A school-wide OBOS (One Book, One School) initiative bound the entire campus to literacy in the fall semester. As a PLTW participant, MCMS offered through our Gateway to Technology Classes: Introduction to Design and Modeling, Medical Detectives, and Robotics. Several Beta Club students received state awards and invitations to nationals.
World Class Skills are promoted through numerous educational and social avenues. Our eighth grade students participated in several field experiences including visiting Piedmont Technical College, Mid-Carolina High School, and Washington, DC. MCMS students also had a chance to participate in Lunch and Learns with a variety of community speakers.
MCMS students are assigned to core teams to encourage collaboration and teamwork in and out of the classroom. The Rebelution enrichment period further fostered collaboration, teamwork, and problem-solving skills in an advisor-advisee atmosphere. During this period, the 7 Mindsets curriculum instilled the skills and characteristics needed for the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. Students lead our WMCMS morning news show. MCMS continues to collaborate with the district to increase the availability and use of technology in the classroom. All students continue to utilize the learning management platform of Schoology for their coursework. Teachers consistently integrate technology for more engaging lessons and activities in class.
Students are afforded many opportunities to develop Life and Career Characteristics throughout the school year. Our school Career Development Facilitator assists with this area by promoting a variety of experiences from community career speakers. All staff promote the college they attended and college banners are on display in the school. Parent Institutes were conducted monthly with topics determined by our School Improvement Council. A global perspective is provided through community service and Live to Give Projects like: American Heart Association, Angel Tree, Veteran’s Day, Community Program of Recognition, local student body needs and the local Pomaria Canned Food Drive. MCMS continued to give opportunities for students to develop interpersonal skills and leadership through various clubs and programs like: Beta Club, Models Academy, Archery Team, Student Advisory Council, and the Rebelettes. READY Time (offered in the morning before school), Catch-up Café (offered at lunch), the READ 180 class, and after-school tutoring motivated students to persevere and establish a positive work ethic. Programs of activities for Veterans Day, Black History Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month were presented to students.
Paul T. Dobyns, Principal, and Gretchen Haskett, SIC Chair
