MAGNET SCHOOLS

Elementary Schools

Calhoun Academy of the Arts opened its doors on August 6, 2005 as the first district-wide magnet school in Anderson School District Five. Teachers at Calhoun have received extensive training from the Peace Center in Greenville and visiting artists from the Kennedy Center. These artists offer our teachers a variety of training events to share practical and effective strategies for integrating drama, music, dance, visual arts, and creative writing into teaching all subjects. 

 Arts integration is an approach to teaching in which students construct and demonstrate understanding through an art form. These arts-integrated strategies engage students in learning, helping them make deep and personal connections to events in history, concepts in math, characters in a story, and processes in science….truly extending into all areas of the curriculum. 

Strings instruction begins in second grade with beginning and advanced classes offered. Along with their academic classes, students participate in many activities including special groups such as Calhoun Chorus and Gator Gazette. Students are showcased in school and grade level performances, arts shows, and community concerts throughout the year. 

Preparing our Students for the 21^st Century. We believe that students need to acquire a set of skills that will last for a lifetime. To be able to solve problems in our complex, fast-changing world, students must become active, creative thinkers who can work well with others.  These competencies, known as 21st-century skills, are summed up as the “4Cs” by the national organization, The Partnership for 21st Century Skills. They include the following: Collaboration: Students are able to work effectively with diverse groups and exercise flexibility in making compromises to achieve common goals. Creativity: Students are able to generate and improve on original ideas and also work creatively with others. Communication: Students are able to communicate effectively across multiple media and for various purposes. Critical thinking: Students are able to analyze, evaluate, and understand complex systems and apply strategies to solve problems.

Centerville is accomplishing this tall order through exciting new approaches. Through project-based learning, students investigate real-world problems and design their own solutions.  Students use technology not just to access valuable content but also to create it. By working collaboratively, students will tackle big issues, in our community and the larger world. Through effective teamwork, we’re also honing important social skills, learning to respect diverse viewpoints and to resolve conflicts peacefully. Our intentional focus on 21^st Century Skills helps children build a solid foundation for future success. Early lessons in sharing and cooperation set the stage for effective teamwork.  Our youngest readers and writers begin to use their emerging literacy skills to communicate important ideas.  When children are encouraged to ask good questions and indulge their curiosity, they acquire inquiry skills that help them solve tomorrow’s challenges. Come join us at Centerville Academy of 21^st Century Learning . . . where teaching and learning is Above and Beyond.

As an International Baccaluareate (IB) World School, Concord Elementary focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. The Primary Years Programme in the school encourages international-mindedness and a positive attitude to learning by engaging students in inquiries and developing their awareness of the process of learning so that they become lifelong learners. The school’s programme also reflects real life by encouraging learning beyond traditional subjects with meaningful, in-depth inquiries into real life issues. Character development is strongly emphasized through the Learner Profile which strongly develops the whole student physically, intellectually, emotionally, and ethically. The IB Primary Years Programme frames the learning activities of the school community and prepares students to be active participants in a lifelong journey of learning. The framework is flexible enough to incorporate the national and state requirements. 

The primary education offered at Homeland Park Primary School fulfills the special needs of students during the first few years of their schooling life. It provides them the solid foundational building blocks of knowledge, academic excellence, and character that they will need to reach their full potential in life. Homeland Park Primary School is a special place full of laughter, learning and friendship where all children are happy, feel safe and are valued. In partnership with family and the community, the school works to develop confident learners who take ownership of their learning and are proud of their achievements.

Homeland Park Primary School provides a creative and innovative curriculum tailored to the needs of our young learners. We challenge every child to become an independent thinker and to become a responsible citizen of the future. The school is committed to providing and maintaining up-to-date technology and resources in all classes, literacy intervention programs such as Reading Recovery and Response to Intervention (RTI) and small class sizes. Our highly qualified staff is certified specifically to meet to the needs of K- Grade 2 students and works enthusiastically together to achieve our vision. Homeland Park Primary School is the “Heart and Future of the Community”.

McLees Academy of Leadership’s theme is designed for everyone! Everyone has a gift and talent that can be used to positively influence others. McLees’ leadership theme is based off of Stephen Covey’s book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The 7 Habits ground students in life long principles that help build and encourage cooperative relationships, responsibility, and kindness. Through the Habits, the students develop self-confidence and become aware of their strengths and unleash the potential to influence others. At McLees Academy of Leadership, we use a ubiquitous approach to curriculum. Our expectation is to create leaders who are well rounded in academics and interpersonal skills. A key focus of leadership is incorporating the Baldridge Quality Tools. These tools enhance student participation, assist in analyzing results, and improve problem solving skills which are effective in the learning process. The students are also responsible for setting goals and tracking their academic success in their data notebooks. The Habits promote an atmosphere of leadership, communication, respect, and time management. These Habits teach students key skills that are vital in becoming successful in today’s society. Leadership develops the WHOLE child – socially, emotionally, academically, and ethically. 

Midway Elementary School of Science and Engineering, a magnet school dedicated to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, is defined by a tradition of academic excellence and innovation.   As the first school in the nation to implement the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) elementary engineering curriculum, Midway is providing a seamless transition to middle and high school engineering programs. Since its opening, Midway has received an Excellent school report card rating and the SC Palmetto Gold Incentive Award annually. Many Midway programs, such as Transition Classrooms, I-TEAM, ERI, and Gifted and Talented restructuring are now models for other schools and districts.

Midway Elementary School of Science and Engineering is fast becoming a model professional learning community that reflects evolving 21st century knowledge and skills, technological competency, digital-age literacy, global connections, inventive thinking, and effective communication. Opportunities for students to use innovation, imagination, and inventiveness abound. Partnerships with Clemson University, Duke Energy, Tri-County Technical College support and guide the school’s efforts to create a learning community of problem solvers and critical thinkers. Academic programs such as Project Lead the Way, Children’s Engineering, Engineering by Design, and Engineering is Elementary are integrated into the core curriculum to teach students the skills necessary to compete in the 21st century.   A STEM after-school program and a LEGO summer camp expose students to computer programming and robotics. Coffee with the Principal sessions and Sensational Science Night involve parents in the learning process as they work with their children to solve problems and complete scientific investigations.  

North Pointe Elementary is a Kindergarten through 5th grade school that offers many opportunities for our students.  Our school is a “choice” school that is open for applications to attend based on convenience for your family or interests in our programming options.  Our school is a state of the art facility that offers access to 2 types of technology.  We house two PC labs and 2 iMAC labs along with iPads in each classroom.  Our  5th grade offers the district’s Bring Your Own Technology program to assist students in using their 21st Century skills to enhance learning.  Daily instruction is provided in all content areas including small group reading and math instruction on your child’s level of performance.  After school clubs and activities are offered including Chorus, Art Club, Volleyball and coming very soon our iPad ensemble.  Our goal is for each child and family to experience school and their academics in their own unique way!

Varennes Academy of Communications and Technology is an Intermediate Title One School located in southwest Anderson, SC. We serve approximately 350 students in grades 3-5. Teachers at every grade level engage in weekly collaborative planning sessions to ensure consistent, creative delivery of standards-based curriculum infused with technology. The learning community at Varennes is committed to student success. Varennes has received numerous awards, including the Literacy Spot Award and Exemplary Writing award, for effective literacy and writing instruction. Integrating communications and technology into all aspects of learning and instruction is our focus.  Students are engaged in technology-rich lessons that encourage them to become innovative thinkers and prepare them to compete in the future job market. We provide numerous opportunities for students to fine-tune their communication skills.  We believe that building a strong school-home network is vital to the success of our students. Through the tireless efforts of our students, teachers, parents, and community, Varennes is making great progress.  We believe by putting technology and effective communication in the hands of students, their future holds unlimited possibilities.

WHITEHALL ELEMENTARY, A GLOBAL COMMUNICATION SCHOOL

Whitehall Elementary, A Global Communication School, focuses on three main components: Languages, Technology for Communication, and Cultural Studies. We are educating today’s children for tomorrow’s world. In the new millennium, it is important for students to be competitive in a global society. They must recognize and have a better understanding of the world around them. By providing a rigorous and competitive global education, students will be better prepared to compete in the global arena of the 21st century.

Glenview Middle School is currently a school of choice as we move in the direction of selecting a theme that best propels us towards our common vision—aspiring to promote a positive school environment which facilitates the growth of our entire learning community. We are fortunate to have a state of the art facility housing the latest technology. Teachers and students are encouraged to utilize technology daily to enhance engagement in learning. We are currently the district’s only school-wide BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) pilot site. Another school-wide initiative is AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) which offers students organizational and other strategies for educational success. Our faculty works diligently to provide the best possible instruction for our students. Teachers participate in an ongoing professional learning community where they collaborate about best practices and reflect on results to determine action plans for future improvement. In addition, Glenview offers a wide variety of related arts and sports programs which support the development of the whole child. Above all else, Glenview faculty members are caring adults who nurture young minds and hearts on a daily basis. We are SOARING with PRIDE- Potential, Reflection, Individuality, Determination, and Excellence). 

Middle school students learn best through inquiry, collaboration, and problem-solving. Our young people hold the keys to the future, and it is our responsibility to prepare them to meet high-tech challenges – even before we know what those challenges are. All students deserve a high-quality education that will ensure success in an ever-changing world. They must begin with the ability to think so they can solve the problems of tomorrow. To meet these challenges, we believe it is essential to offer a quality curriculum based on standards that meets student needs both inside and outside of the classroom. Lakeside Middle School of Inquiry and Innovation’s vision is to prepare students to be problem solvers through a high-quality education which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics so they will achieve success in the high-tech community of the new millennium.
 

The Middle Years Program (MYP) is one of three programs offered by the International Baccalaureate Organization. It is a program that helps students participate actively and responsibly in a changing and increasingly interrelated world. Learning how to learn and how to evaluate information critically is as important as learning facts. The IB MYP is guided by three fundamental concepts that underpin its development, both internationally and in individual schools. These concepts are guiding principles in designing the curriculum and school activities.

At the heart of the IB program’s continuum of instruction is the Learner Profile. The IB program aims to help students develop as lifelong learners in the context of the Learner Profile. IB learners are: inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, principled, caring, risk-takers, open-minded, communicators, balanced, and reflective. The areas of interaction are at the core of the MYP. They recur throughout the entire MYP, through the eight subject groups, interdisciplinary teaching and projects, and whole school activities. The emphasis is on a conceptual framework with objectives that are oriented toward skills and the learning process. The IB MYP is challenging, authentic, engaging, and problem based. There is a strong emphasis on developing problem solving skills. Teachers serve as coaches and facilitators and create authentic performance based assessments. Teaching and learning is focused on building student judgment, teaching students to be critical thinkers, developing meaningful literacy skills, collaboration, and service. The MYP responds to student needs with more independence, more self-discipline, more responsibility, a challenging and relevant curriculum, reassurance, continuity, consistency, and support.

The mission of McCants Middle School is to ensure academic excellence, promote an enduring passion for learning, and encourage global citizenship while celebrating the success of each individual learner. Excellence and high expectations remain our primary goal as we engage in continuous improvement in academic achievement. Our goal is to raise the academic achievement level of all our students through the philosophy of providing a "STUDENT CENTERED EDUCATION." 

Our mission is “to prepare our students to be self-sufficient adults by creating a culture which nurtures academic achievement through rigorous instruction, develops student leadership skills, and promotes college and career readiness.” In the coming year we will be pursuing our theme in the areas of leadership and college/career readiness.

            Robert Anderson is a state of the art school. Through our designations as a National AVID Demonstration Site and a National School to Watch our faculty, staff, and students have been through rigorous visits from committees that have confirmed our commitment to high student achievement. Collaboration and use of best practices allow our teachers to provide lessons that give students many paths to mastering a standard. Our teachers have developed a course catalogue for academic enrichment that gives students an opportunity to choose a class that, while standards based, is also relevant to the students’ future plans for a career. Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farmers of America, Emerging Young Leaders, Food and Fitness, and News Broadcasting and Digital Journalism are examples of the courses offered at Robert Anderson.

            Robert Anderson also provides students with a variety of sports programs. The Robert Anderson Patriots football team was the undefeated conference and city champions for the 2012 season. Volleyball and Basketball, and Cheerleading are also choices. Along with sports, our PE teachers provide a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle.

Southwood Academy of the Arts opened in August 2011 with approximately 120 sixth grade students. Serving the entire Anderson community as a pure magnet school (no attendance zones), Southwood Academy provides a rigorous academic experience while using the arts as a vehicle to success. The core curriculum for ELA, math, science and social studies is based on state and national standards, but is enhanced with learning opportunities integrating the arts. In addition, students are able to receive accelerated instruction in art, drama, band, chorus, orchestra, dance, and musical keyboarding and composition. 

During the 2012-2013 school year, a seventh grade with approximately 120 students was added, which will be followed by an eighth grade class this coming year. With such a small number of students, the faculty and staff are able to build a strong sense of community and self-worth. Students’ strengths and accomplishments are celebrated on a daily basis through school-wide morning meetings. Also, performances and exhibitions are scheduled throughout the year to spotlight the children’s talents.   

The arts engage students in ways that other subjects may not by encouraging creative risk-taking. Through the arts, children can see themselves as creators who value their own ideas and respect the ideas of others. This gateway to learning helps them to understand that there is not always a right answer to a question and that there may be multiple ways to address a problem. The positive results are tangible, both in terms of arts content learning and in the ability to understand and communicate meaning across disciplines. At Southwood Academy of the Arts, students’ talents are nurtured as their potential is realized.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a comprehensive, rigorous program of advanced studies that demands the best from highly-motivated students. The six subject core program offers an accelerated, advanced curriculum designed to ensure that students are well-rounded, lifelong learners who are internationally-minded. Additionally, students extend their learning through critical reflection in the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) class, by participation in Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS), and by completion of an independent research project and essay (EE). IB students are often admitted to competitive colleges and universities, where they have the opportunity to earn college credits with their IB exam scores. Most importantly, IB students learn how to be successful students who excel in their university studies. 

Westside High School's Early College Academy (WECA) allows qualified students the opportunity to earn credit for college coursework while completing high school graduation requirements during grades 9-12. WECA students complete high school courses on an accelerated schedule during their freshman and sophomore years, enabling them to take both high school and college courses during their junior and senior years. Students fill out an application of interest and are then evaluated based on a personal interview, questionnaire answers, current grades, attendance, and discipline, and teacher recommendations. Students accepted into WECA typically exhibit maturity, determination, and responsibility in their demeanor and communication skills, as well as above-average grades and exemplary attendance.

Anderson 5 Charter School provides students with a non-traditional educational setting to meet their individual needs in order to prepare them for post-secondary education, the work force or a career path. All courses are offered online with students attending school on a flexible schedule (morning, mid-day, or evening). We are partners with the Adult Education Center offering students the opportunity to earn a GED and the Anderson Five Career Campus offering students the opportunity to earn credits in career-technology pathways. "Any Time, Any Place, Any Path, Any Pace."