The Advanced Studies Magnet – Haut Gap Middle School is nestled amongst the grand oaks of John’s Island. Our current student population is 517 and comprised of students from 18 different elementary schools. Our demographics are 40% African American, 40% Caucasian, and 20% Hispanic. As Charleston County and the Nation struggle with race issues, Haut Gap Middle School is a model multicultural school. We celebrate and accept our differences. We utilize PBIS engagement strategies to provide a school climate that is conducive to learning. We believe that developing and maintaining a strong climate and culture within our school will enable our students to be successful academically.
Our goals were to: Reduce the Achievement Gap, increase rigor in all classrooms, improve School Culture and Climate, and Increase Performance Management.
Although we have made tremendous strides socially and academically, we are a work in progress. Our staff has the “can-do” attitude and sets high expectations for all of our students. We are striving to decrease our achievement gap and obtain an absolute rating of “Excellent.”
Support for our goals:
Support subgroups with extended reading programs (summer & school year), piloted writing class, 21st Century grant after school program, bi-monthly CBMs, Kiawah math tutors, and increased teacher collaboration time.
Establish school-wide practices for enhancing Mathematics instruction (16 elements of explicit instruction), screen all students using a universal screener to identify those at risk for mathematics deficiencies (CBM & student-led tracking of data via data notebooks), and provide interventions to students identified. Develop students’ conceptual understanding of mathematics and provide ample opportunities to improve procedural fluency (research-based professional development on how to implement a common “attack strategy” designed for systematically solving word problems). (MSMI)
Use a research-based PBIS framework.
Guide and support teachers in the use of data to identify student needs. Analyze attendance, behavior, and course performance to identify at-risk students.
J. Travis Benintendo, Principal
Calista Woodbridge, SIC Chair
