About STMS

 

 

 

Our Mission Statement

 

The mission of Saluda Trail Middle School, working with parents and our community, is to provide a safe environment which promotes both academic excellence and self-esteem. Our goal is for students to achieve their maximum potential and become creative thinkers who respect the world around them.

 

 

 

Core Beliefs:

• All individuals have intrinsic worth.
• All individuals can learn.
• Learning depends upon basic needs (physical, social, intellectual, artistic, and emotional) being met.
• Accepting diversity and providing opportunities to learn from individual differences enrich learning.
• Reading is the foundation for unlimited learning.
• Adults can enable students to fulfill their potential by developing positive relationships with them.
• Learning is promoted in an environment where taking educational risks is encouraged.
• Parents, teachers and staff, businesses, and community members are responsible for working interdependently to ensure the welfare and education of children.
• Schools will encourage students to become lifelong learners.
• All students must respect each other’s right to learn.
• Global and cultural awareness broadens a student’s perspective of himself and his world.
• Learning to communicate is critical to an individual’s success.
• Service for others promotes good citizenship and global respect for our environment.

 

 

Learner Standards:

Students will:

• strive for excellence in communication (reading, writing, listening and speaking), math and science.
• demonstrate an understanding of the world including knowledge of geography, history and languages.
• demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for the visual arts, performing arts, physical fitness and wellness.
• make connections between  subject areas by participating in interdisciplinary units of study.
• use technology effectively to access and use information.
• utilize problem solving strategies and thinking skills to make creative and competent decisions in real life.
• demonstrate the ability to work independently and cooperatively to solve problems. 
• be accountable for their own learning including setting goals and evaluating progress.
• display the self-discipline, self-control, and work ethic that will enable them to be successful as learners, workers, family members, and productive citizens in our society.
• demonstrate respect for their own uniqueness and self-worth.
• understand the differences and similarities of culture, race, gender, and abilities of others.
• understand and practice democratic ideas and ideals.
• participate in authentically engaging activities that encourage learning.
• develop individual talents, curiosity, and creativity.

Middle School Goals:

 

• We will provide a positive school climate where opportunities for participation and success are ensured for all learners.
• We will provide a meaningful and challenging educational experience that is distinctively different from either elementary or secondary schools and allows for a gradual and appropriate transition between the two.
• We will provide an appropriate developmental guidance program.
• We will provide an effective education through the curriculum, complemented with updated materials and textbooks and coordinated with state standards.
• We will provide instruction through a mentoring system which promotes guidance, counseling and reflection.
• We will provide interdisciplinary opportunities for academic development through a wide range of content and elective courses.

What is STEAM:

• It is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.  STEM schools provide an integrated curriculum with a focus on inquiry, questioning and opportunities for problem solving to think like an engineer.

Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC)

Saluda Trail Middle School is proud to be an Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Institute site, providing students with meaningful opportunities to learn in an arts-integrated environment. Through our ABC Institute and STEAM programs, we recognize the vital role the arts play in education and empower students with voice and choice in their learning. These experiences help students make meaningful connections between their education and their future goals, preparing them for lifelong success. We would like to extend a special thanks to ABC for their support of our school and programs both through their educational philosophies and funding. Many of our arts programs are  funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.