Pee Dee Math, Science and Technology Academy’s (PDMSTA) mission is to develop innovative, confident, self-motivated citizens through a math, science, and technology curriculum enhanced with collaborative community learning partnerships. Our goal is to cultivate a citizenry with critical-thinking skills and to prepare students for success in a global economy. Within the STEM curriculum, core subjects of reading, math, language arts, science, and social studies are also taught. Special classes include physical education and foreign language. PDMSTA also offers a gifted and talented program for students who qualify. PDMSTA offers a resource program, speech and language services, and a reading program for special-needs students.
ORGANIZATION AND PHILOSOPHY
The priorities of PDMSTA are to ensure students receive quality instruction and a rigorous classroom environment. The organizational structure is such that there are no department heads. We are not at a size that could warrant middle management. Teachers are truly leading (teacher leaders) and play an active role in shaping the outcomes of our students. We do provide Instructional Coaches to help teachers with developing relevant teaching strategies. Moreover, teachers participate in Professional Learning Community (PLC) groups allowing them to collaborate with their peers. Each PLC group is facilitated by a PLC chairperson.
We believe foremost that ALL students can learn. We also have adopted the "Logic of English" methodology (https://www.logicofenglish.com/about/do-you-know-why) to assist students in understanding the rules of reading, writing, and word structure without simply memorizing words. PDMSTA also believes reading is important, especially in beginning and developing readers. We have a Reading Coach that assists us in our overall reading plan. We believe reading should be taught across the curriculum, and teachers should help all students develop a lifelong love for reading. According to our research, beginning readers must have a strong foundation in reading, writing, and language development, as well as adolescents. PDMSTA uses various interventions to assess students' reading levels, primarily the Fountas & Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) system.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS: Full-day Kindergarten; Gifted and Talented Program; Special Education; Social Emotional Learning (SEL)/ “7Mindsets” Curriculum; SC College and Career Readiness Standards; CASE Pacing Guides.
At PDMSTA, many of our students arrive at school needing more intensive support for learning. 83% of our students qualify for Free- and Reduced-Lunch, which motivates and affirms our program's need. It does not diminish the quality of instruction or opportunities afforded our students. We believe in a well-rounded educational program that engages students, focusing on fundamental literacy and STEM content to help build critical thinking skills and self-efficacy.
Reading: iReady Reading (Curriculum Associates) provides teachers with engaging passages, instructional strategies to build comprehension and fluency, and multiple assessments for teachers to determine the next steps for small group instruction based on the data. Most of our reading instruction takes place in small groups. Our educators use leveled texts to challenge our scholars during guided reading groups. We are currently using the Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention (LLI) system to instruct all scholars not reading at grade level in K-5 classrooms. This intervention provides intensive daily instruction so that scholars receive the appropriate support to catch up by the end of the year. All grade levels have a scheduled intervention block during the school day.
K-8 Ready Classroom Mathematics: Ready Classroom Mathematics(Curriculum Associates) combines the Standards of Mathematical Practices (student actions) with the Top Teacher Actions both from the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) to develop students as strong mathematical thinkers and problem solvers. Instructional routines, conceptual and procedural understanding, and real-world examples, it helps students make sense of mathematics. Research-based, Ready Classroom Mathematics is proven to be effective in raising student achievement and putting students on the path to becoming lifelong learners—and lovers—of all things math..
9-11 Eureka Math: A new era in the high school math curriculum and a new approach for reaching all students! In keeping with the South Carolina College and Career Ready Standards, Eureka Math offers new, streamlined modules focusing on a deeper understanding of math strategies and concepts while incorporating the Standards for Mathematical Practice.
Science: Science Weekly and FOSS interactive Science kits feature three (3) pathways to match how students learn.
Social Studies: Social Studies Weekly and Scholastic (Scholastic Jr.) offer a variety of ways for your students to think critically about key concepts—through reading, hands-on activities, and technology—so they actively experience the world they live in. Providing multiple ways to experience the content allows teachers to personalize learning.
Character Development: This year, frequent learning opportunities for all students will be given to help develop character skills. Each day students are given 20 minutes of SEL instruction and activities. We believe that students need explicit instruction in character education and opportunities to apply them daily. Our CORE skills are citizenship, honesty, self-discipline, respect, caring, justice, courage, responsibility, goal-setting, and wisdom.
College and Career Readiness: Through our after-school programs, students will learn about careers, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. A student advocate program will be implemented to provide participants with an adult mentor to discuss college and career goals. Students will have opportunities to meet with business leaders in the community and take part in off-site field trips that enrich their understanding of college and career opportunities.
SCOIS and IGP Preparation: Our 7th and 8th graders are provided career information using South Carolina's Career Information Delivery System (SCOIS). The SCOIS Career System will assist educators with incorporating integrative learning strategies that address state curriculum standards in conjunction with current and practical educational and career information. It will further allow teachers to develop efficient long-range academic achievement plans for students. Students who use SCOIS can better prepare their Individualized Graduation Plans (IGP).
SCHOOL ACADEMIC GOALS
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To implement critical thinking and high student academic achievement.
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To integrate cross-curricular learning activities.
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To provide a stimulating and challenging learning environment in which all students will be successful.
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To create/maintain a sense of community in which children are encouraged to care about each other and learn.
CLASSROOM STRUCTURES - K (self-contained); 1st through 12th are departmentalized by subject.
Clubs: Beta Club; National Honor Society; Art/Technology Club; Student Council; After School Program (21st Century Program)
Pee Dee Math, Science and Technology Academy has a family climate and a high academic achievement culture. Students are developed to be forward thinkers, problem-solvers, and contributing citizens. Our school's small teacher-student ratio creates a supportive and a positive campus.
