Richland County School District One Choice Programs Guide€¦ · Montessori Programs The...

Richland County School District One

2018-2019

A Publication of Richland County School District One

What are Choice Programs?

Superintendent’s Message

In Richland One, we don’t believe that one size fits all. We don’t believe that all children learn in the same way. We do believe that offering students more ex-citing and diverse educational choices will lead to greater op-portunities as they prepare for college and careers.

Our choice programs are designed to chal-lenge students academically and appeal to their personal and career interests. Elemen-tary students can learn to speak and write in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, as well as in English, through our Language Immersion Program. Middle school students can ex-plore the health care field through our Med-ical Magnet Academy. High school students can pursue an internationally recognized di-ploma through our International Baccalaure-ate Diploma Programs. These are just a few of the unique learning experiences that our students can take advantage of in Richland One.

We want to make sure that our parents, com-munity members and families who may be moving to the area know about the wide ar-ray of choices we offer our students in Rich-land One. This guide is designed to provide a snapshot of our choice programs, along with eligibility criteria, enrollment/application procedures and a schedule of upcoming par-ent information sessions.

To learn more about our choice programs, please make plans to join us at our Choice Fair on January 11, 2018 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at Crayton Middle School. School and pro-gram representatives will be there to pro-vide information and answer questions.

We invite you to explore what we have to offer. In Richland One, the choice is yours!

Sincerely,

Craig Witherspoon, Ed.D.Superintendent

Richland One is committed to creating world-class instructional programs that provide unique learn-ing opportunities for our students. Our choice programs are designed to meet the needs of each student and nurture students’ talents, interests and aptitudes, while we prepare them to live and work in a diverse global society.

The instructional focus of our choice programs is tied to each program’s distinctive course of study. Each program seeks to provide engaging, prob-lem-based or project-based opportunities for stu-dents at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Interested students throughout the district are encouraged to apply for admission to the pro-gram of their choice. Traditionally, students are as-signed to attend school according to where they live; however, all students who live in the Richland

Choice Programs Guide

One attendance zone are eligible for admission to our choice programs, unless the program is desig-nated as one that is zoned for certain attendance areas.

Admission is based on successful completion of the acceptance process, which may include at-tending an information session, meeting quali-fying criteria and/or completing an application. Some choice programs have limited enrollment capacity. Upon acceptance, students must trans-fer to the school chosen. Transportation is pro-vided for the district leadership and language immersion magnet programs, the Montessori elementary zoned programs and the Montessori middle school program. For all other choice pro-grams, students must provide their own transpor-tation.

Elementary School Level

Language Immersion Program

Students in the Richland One Language Immersion Program have an opportunity to learn Spanish or Mandarin Chinese through an immersion model. Beginning in pre-kinder-garten, students spend 50% of their instructional day in a Spanish or Chinese classroom. Students learn to read, write, speak and listen in their targeted language, all through the meaningful context of math and science.

• Program Location: Carver-Lyon Elementary School

• Program Type: School-within-a-school model

• Grades: Four-year-old kindergarten (4K), five-year-old kindergarten (5K), first grade, second grade and related arts Spanish and Mandarin Chinese (Note: The program will expand to a whole school language immersion model over the next four years.)

• Eligibility Criteria: Open to all Richland One students

• Student Selection Method: Lottery

• Enrollment Capacity: 32 slots for 4K Spanish, 32 slots for 4K Chinese, with limited 5K through first grade slots. Students can apply in second grade if they are transfer-ring from another language immersion program or if they can pass a language proficiency test.

• Bus Transportation: Provided for all students

• Contact: Dr. Teresa Turner, (803) 343-2008, [email protected]

• Parent Information Sessions: January 16, 2018, 8:00 AM January 18, 2018, 5:30 PM January 24, 2018, 8:00 AM January 25, 2018, 5:30 PM January 26, 2018, 8:00 AM January 30, 2018, 6:00 PM

Montessori Programs

The Montessori Method of education is a child-centered educational approach based on scientific observations of children from birth through adulthood. It views the child as naturally eager for knowledge and capable of initiating learning in a supportive, thoughtfully prepared learning environment. It focuses on the development of the whole child — physical, social, emotional and cognitive. Compo-nents include multi-age groupings that foster peer learning, uninterrupted blocks of work time and guided choices of work activity. In addition, a full complement of specially de-signed Montessori learning materials is used in a specially prepared environment appropriate to the age of the child.

Note: For elementary Montessori programs, applications are accepted for students in 3K through second grade with no Mon-tessori experience. Applications are accepted for students in grades 3-5 only if they are transferring from a Montessori school.

Program Locations: Brockman Elementary School

• Program Type: Whole school model

• Grades: 3K - Fifth Grade

• Eligibility Criteria: Open to students zoned for Bradley, Satchel Ford or Brennen elementary schools


• Enrollment Capacity: Twenty-five 3K slots available with limited slots for 4K through second grade


• Contact: Dr. Erica Rice, (803) 790-6743, [email protected]

• Parent Information Session: January 16, 2018, 5:30 PM

Logan Elementary School

• Program Type: School-within-a-school model• Grades: 3K - Fifth Grade

• Eligibility Criteria: Open to students zoned for the C.A. Johnson, Columbia, Eau Claire or W.J. Keenan high school clusters


• Enrollment Capacity: Twelve 3K slots available with limited slots for 4K through second grade


• Contact: Chris Richards, (803) 343-2917, [email protected]

• Parent Information Session: January 16, 2018, Noon

Caughman Road Elementary School


• Grades: 3K - Fifth Grade

• Eligibility Criteria: Open to students zoned for A.C. Moore, Burnside, Caughman Road, Gadsden, Hopkins, Horrell Hill, Meadowfield, Mill Creek, Rosewood, South Kilbourne or Webber elementary schools


• Enrollment Capacity: Twelve 3K slots available with limited slots for 4K through second grade


• Contacts: Shawn Hall ([email protected]) and Karen Ogen ([email protected]), (803) 783-5534

• Parent Information Session: January 16, 2018, Noon

School Readiness and Pre-Kindergarten Programs

Pre-kindergarten is a voluntary school readiness program for four-year-olds who live within Richland One’s school attendance boundaries. The program’s primary focus is to

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

• Whole School: The choice program is available throughout the school for every student enrolled in that school.

• School-Within-A-School: The school is split be-tween the traditional curriculum and the choice program. The choice program is only available to students at the school who have been accepted and enrolled into the identified choice program.

• Zoned Attendance: The choice program is only available to students from designated school attendance zones and not open to all students in the district.

• Lottery: A lottery is used when there are more students and families interested in a particular choice program than there are enrollment slots available. A lottery drawing is done at the district level by a computer program that randomly as-signs a series of numbers to each student apply-ing to gain entry into the program. Numbers are drawn randomly and a list is randomly created, ranking students in the lottery from top to bot-tom. Slots available are filled by this list, based on the random selection. Once all slots are filled, remaining students are put on a waiting list and can be added to the program if other students drop out of the program or do not accept their slots.

2018-2019 Richland One Choice Programs

Starting in the fall of 2018, Richland One will offer stu-dents even more educational options thanks to a $15 million federal grant. The funding from the U.S. Depart-ment of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP) will be used to add magnet programs at four dis-trict schools.

Innovative instructional approaches and unique learning experiences will be hallmarks of each magnet program. The Richland One Language Immersion Program at Carv-er-Lyon Elementary School, which currently offers Span-ish and Mandarin Chinese, will expand to include French and a global leadership component. Three other Rich-land One schools will use their grant money to help pre-pare students for careers and leadership opportunities: Bradley Elementary School will create a career awareness magnet; W.G. Sanders Middle School will have a career exploration magnet; and W.J. Keenan High School will develop a career preparation magnet, as well as four academies to help students prepare for jobs in the fields of hospitality/tourism, government, entrepreneurship and engineering.

A K-12 leadership and career pathway has been devel-oped that focuses on awareness, exposure, exploration and preparation for identified career paths. Through Leadership Richland One, evidence-based programs like The Leader in Me and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens/People will be used to develop a whole school culture that (1) teaches and models the seven habits, (2) recognizes and nurtures gifts and talents, (3) delivers authentic learning and leadership opportunities, and (4) grows essential soft skills. In addition, each school will provide focused opportunities to understand career opportunities, compare opportunities on a global scale, explore career choices, experience career options and prepare for career paths.

• Program Locations: Bradley Elementary School, Carver-Lyon Elementary School, W.G. Sanders Middle School and W.J. Keenan High School


• Student Selection Method: Lottery for Bradley and W.G. Sanders (for careers component) and Carver-Ly-on (for language immersion) and W.J. Keenan (for careers component)

• Enrollment Capacity: Bradley careers component – 30 slots per grade level; Carver-Lyon language immersion – 32 Spanish and 32 Chinese 4K slots with limited 5K-2nd grade slots; W.G. Sanders careers com-ponent – 60 slots per grade level; W.J. Keenan careers component – 30 slots per grade level


• Contacts: Bradley – Kezia Myers, (803) 738-7200, [email protected]; Carver-Lyon – Dr. Teresa Turner, (803) 343-2008, [email protected]; W.G. Sanders – Andrenna Smith, (803) 738-7577, [email protected]; W.J. Keenan – Vondre’ Whaley, (803) 714-2500, [email protected]

• Parent Information Sessions: BradleyJanuary 18, 2018, 6:00 PMJanuary 23, 2018, 9:00 AM

Carver-LyonJanuary 16, 2018, 8:00 AMJanuary 18, 2018, 5:30 PMJanuary 24, 2018, 8:00 AMJanuary 25, 2018, 5:30 PMJanuary 26, 2018, 8:00 AMJanuary 30, 2018, 6:00 PM

W.G. SandersJanuary 30, 2018, 6:00 PMFebruary 6, 2018, 6:00 PM

W.J. KeenanJanuary 18, 2018, 6:00 PMFebruary 8, 2018, 6:00 PM

New Leadership Richland One Magnet Program

provide a developmentally appropriate school experience for students. There are pre-kindergarten classrooms in 24 of the district’s 28 elementary schools. Each class has two adults (a teacher and an instructional assistant) and no more than 20 children. The number of classes varies by school.

Pre-kindergarten follows the school’s guidelines for at-tendance. The school day is from 7:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. for the 180-day school year. Students are expected to arrive at school promptly each day. Bus transportation is availa-ble for students who live 1.5 or more miles away from their assigned school. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided daily.

Academic guidelines are regulated by the South Carolina Department of Education and assessments are used to help guide, individualize and enhance instruction. Parents are encouraged to establish positive relationships with their child’s teachers and school. Family involvement be-gins with home visits and continues throughout the year as parents participate in student-led conferences, attend programs and field trips or volunteer in the classroom.

• Program Locations: The 4-year-old kindergarten program (4K) is offered at all elementary schools except Brockman, Satchel Ford, Rosewood and Brennen. Gads-den Elementary School offers 3-year-old kindergarten (3K) and 4K.



• Student Selection Method: Application


• Contact: Gina Carter, (803) 799-9494, [email protected]

• Parent Information Sessions: February 6, 2018, Lower Richland High, 6:00 PM February 15, 2018, Dreher High, 6:00 PM March 13, 2018, Eau Claire High, 6:00 PM April 10, 2018, St. Andrews Middle, 6:00 PM

Middle School LevelInternational Baccalaureate MiddleYears Candidate Program

The IB Middle Years Candidate Program is committed to a high quality, challenging, and international education. Students are encouraged to think independently, direct their own learning and to take part in areas of study that can lead them to some of the highest ranking universities around the world. Students become more culturally aware, through the development of a second language as they engage with people in an increasingly globalized, rapidly changing world.

Lower Richland High School is in partnership with Hopkins and Southeast middle schools as candidate schools for the IB MIddle Years Program and pursuing authorization as an IB World School.

• Program Locations: Hopkins Middle School and Southeast Middle School

• Grades: 6-8



• Enrollment Capacity: Open

• Bus Transportation: Provided only for students zoned to Hopkins and Southeast middle schools

• Contacts: Hopkins – Dr. Sharon Newton, (803) 695-3331, [email protected]; Southeast – Yolanda Daniels, (803) 695-5700, [email protected]

• Parent Information Sessions : January 29, 2018, 9:00 AM at Southeast Middle (Joint Session with Hopkins Middle) January 29, 2018, 5:00 PM at Hopkins Middle (Joint Session with Southeast Middle)

Medical Magnet Academy

The Medical Magnet Academy introduces students to var-ied careers in health sciences. The three-year program for middle school students emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math skills that will help them understand the fundamental principles of careers in health care and prepare them to be 21st century critical thinkers. Courses offered include Career Exploration, Medical Careers II and Medical Detective. As a STEAM (science, technology, engi-neering, arts and math) school, the Medical Magnet Acad-emy also offers pathways in aerospace, engineering, tech-nology and the arts.

• Program Location: W.A. Perry Middle School

• Grades: 6-8

• Program Structure: School-within-a-school model


• Selection Method: Application

• Enrollment Capacity: 20 slots per grade level

• Bus Transportation: Provided only for students zoned to W.A. Perry Middle School

• Contact: Lisa Payton Johnson, (803) 256-6347, [email protected]

• Parent Information Session: February 22, 2018, 5:30 PM

Middle School Montessori Program

The Middle School Montessori Program meets adolescents where they are and builds on the strengths of the devel-opmental period, while preparing them for success in high school. It incorporates creativity, choice and collaboration along with the social nature of adolescents. It also strength-ens independence through the building of life skills such as personal organization and time management.

Adolescents learn to reason hypothetically, plan ahead, understand analogies and construct metaphors, all while adhering to state standards. At this age, friends are critical to every facet of a middle school student’s happiness. To capitalize on that aspect of this plane of development, the Montessori program incorporates many options for social-izing that are integral to adolescent learning. Fully half of the curriculum is delivered in small group settings where students learn to practice acceptance, equity, sharing re-sponsibility and accountability.

• Program Location: W.G. Sanders Middle School

• Grades: 6-8

• Program Structure: School-within-a-school model

• Eligibility Criteria: Students must have 3 prior consec-utive years of Montessori education to enroll.




• Contact: Andrenna Smith, (803) 783-7577, [email protected]

• Parent Information Sessions: January 30, 2018, 6:00 PM February 6, 2018, 6:00 PM

High School Level

AP Capstone Diploma Program

The AP Capstone Diploma Program is a nationally recog-nized diploma program designed for students who desire to enhance and develop their critical and creative thinking skills and inquiry and academic research skills through in-depth analysis and exploration of high-level academic con-tent. The program is founded on two courses, AP Seminar and AP Research, which complement the content-rich, in-depth, discipline-specific study encountered in other AP courses. AP Seminar equips students with critical and cre-ative thinking skills through reading and analyzing articles, research studies, foundational, literary and philosophical texts. Throughout the year, students complete a team pro-ject and presentation, individual research-based essay and presentation, and an end-of-course exam. AP Research, the second course of the experience, allows students to further the skills acquired during AP Seminar by completing a year-long, research-based exploration of a topic of personal in-terest. The investigation culminates in an academic paper (approximately 5,000 words) and an oral presentation and defense. Students who complete AP Seminar and AP Re-search and any four other AP courses of their choosing with a score of 3 or higher will receive the AP Capstone Diploma.

• Program Locations: Dreher High School and Columbia High School

• Grades: 9-12


• Eligibility criteria: Open to all Richland One students



• Bus Transportation: Provided only for students zoned to Dreher and Columbia high schools

• Contacts: Dreher – Kevin Kirkley, (803) 253-7016, [email protected]; Columbia – Martin Hodge, (803) 731-8955, [email protected]

• Parent Information Sessions: January 22, 2018, 6:15 PM, Columbia High January 24, 2018, 8:00 AM, Columbia High February 8, 2018, 6:00 PM, Dreher High

Early Childhood Education Program

The Early Childhood Education Program is designed as an introduction of skills required for a career in the care, edu-cation and administration of programs for young children. Students will develop skills in areas including career paths, developmentally appropriate practices, safe and healthy learning environments, and collaborative relationships. Academics and employability skills are integrated through-out the course. The Early Childhood Education Program is designed to provide students with hands-on opportunities to explore and observe the world of children and prepare them for educational and administrative careers in the field.

• Program Location: Eau Claire High School

• Grades: 9-12




• Enrollment Capacity: 15 slots

• Bus Transportation: Provided only for students zoned to Eau Claire High School

• Contact: Neshunda Walters, (803) 735-7607, [email protected]

• Parent Information Session: Eau Claire High: January 24, 2018, 5:00 PM

Health Sciences Magnet

The Health Sciences Magnet prepares students for post-sec-ondary education and provides them with opportunities to pursue careers in health sciences by offering a rigorous curriculum and real-world field experiences through col-laborations with clinics, hospitals, universities and other community partners. Students become South Carolina Ca-reer and Technology Education (CATE) Completers in one or more pathways: Administrative Services, Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Research and Technology, Food Science and Dietetics, Health Science and/or Sports Med-icine. Students in the Health Sciences Magnet participate in career mentoring, career shadowing, volunteer services, internships, clinical rotations, state and national competi-tive events, career fairs and health fairs, field studies and national certification exams.

• Program Location: C.A. Johnson High School

• Grades: 9-12





• Bus Transportation: Provided only for students zoned to C.A. Johnson High School

• Contact: Leah Scott, (803) 929-3855, [email protected]


International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) is an academically challenging and balanced program that prepares 11th-grade and 12th-grade students for success at the university level and beyond. The IB Diploma holds recognition and respect among the world’s leading univer-sities.

• Program Locations: A.C. Flora High School and Lower Richland High School (Note: Both schools also offer the International Baccalaureate Career Program.)

• Grades: 11-12 (Note: Lower Richland High School is in partnership with Hopkins and Southeast middle schools as candidate schools for the IB Middle Years Program [grades 9-10 at LR] and pursuing authorization as an IB World School.)





• Bus Transportation: Provided only for students zoned to A.C. Flora and Lower Richland high schools

• Contacts: A.C. Flora – Eleni Davis, (803) 738-3800, [email protected]; Lower Richland – Timothy Ship-ley, (803) 695-3000, [email protected]

• Parent Information Sessions: January 30, 2018, 6:00 PM, A.C. Flora January 18, 2018, 6:00 PM, Lower Richland January 30, 2018, 6:00 PM Lower Richland

Project Lead the Way Engineering

The Raider Engineering and Academic Leadership program (Project REAL) gives students the opportunity to take Pro-ject Lead the Way courses (PLTW) with an option to receive college credit at affiliate colleges and universities. Students are expected to attend a summer enrichment camp, after-school tutoring, test preparation sessions, leadership train-ing and monthly showcase meetings, as well as participate in community service projects. The program’s goal is to develop leaders in engineering, robotics, technology, math and science.

• Program Location: W.J Keenan High School

• Grades: 9-12





• Bus Transportation: Provided only for students zoned to W.J. Keenan High School

• Contact: Vondre’ Whaley, (803) 714-2500, [email protected]

• Parent Information Sessions January 18, 2018, 6:00 PM February 8, 2018, 6:00 PM

Virtual School Program

The Virtual School Program allows students to meet their family, personal and work obligations during regular school hours while continuing their high school education. Any student in grades 9-12 in Richland One and outside of the district is eligible to apply. This program offers a great op-portunity for a variety of students, including homeschool-ers, teen parents and academically gifted students, as well as aspiring professional dancers, artists or athletes who must train/practice during the day. Students who work af-ter school or during the day and those who work in family businesses also are ideal candidates. Students enrolled in the program work independently on online lessons, pro-jects and assignments at a time and place that’s best for them. During the week, they schedule time at a homework center to meet with certified teachers who review their pro-gress, discuss their work and provide assistance.

• Program Location: Online

• Grades: 9-12

• Eligibility Criteria: Open to all Richland One students and students outside of the district



• Bus Transportation: Not provided

• Contact: Audrey Harris, (803) 231-6934, [email protected]

• Parent Information Session: Waverley Administration Building 1225 Oak Street Open House: January 18, 2018, 6:30 PM

Richland County School District One1616 Richland StreetColumbia, SC 29201

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PAIDColumbia, SC

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Notice of Non-DiscriminationRichland County School District One does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age or other protected characteristics in its programs and activities.

Evening High School Program

The Evening High School Program is designed to serve stu-dents ages 16-20 who want to obtain a high school diploma but, due to life circumstances, have dropped out of school, are considering dropping out of school or are unable to at-tend school during the day. The program operates Monday through Thursday from 4:00 p.m. – 8:10 p.m., following the district’s academic calendar. The alternate time schedule enables students to hold a job, meet family obligations and, upon meeting the requirements, graduate from high school. The curriculum includes the standard courses re-quired for graduation. To qualify for a high school diplo-ma, students must earn 24 Carnegie units. Students must complete 120 hours per one whole credit or 60 hours per ½ credit. Students can earn up to three credits each semes-ter. Direct instruction is provided by state-certified/highly qualified teachers. Computer-based instruction is provided by Edgenuity, a web-based instructional program used for credit recovery.

• Program Location: Olympia Learning Center

• Grades: 9-12



• Student Selection Method: Application/interview



• Contact: Kerry Abel, (803) 790-6763, [email protected]

• Parent Information Session: Open House - January 31, 2018, 5:30 PM

Middle College

Richland One Middle College (ROMC) is an award-winning charter school of choice sponsored by Richland One. Locat-ed on the Beltline campus of Midlands Technical College, ROMC is unique because it offers 11th-grade and 12th-grade students the opportunity to attend high school on a college campus where they can earn college credits for free. The targeted student population is students who are seek-ing to experience success in a non-traditional secondary program. The primary goal of Richland One Middle College is to provide students with a seamless transition from high school to their post-secondary pursuits through the use of an innovative curriculum in an intimate, student-centered environment.

• Program Location: Midlands Technical College – Beltline Campus

• Grades: 11-12




• Enrollment Capacity: 150


• Contact: Dr. Tiniece Javis, (803) 738-7114, [email protected]


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