MMA named High Flying School at National Youth-At-Risk Conference
March 11, 2020
Military Magnet Academy (MMA) was named a High Flying School at the National Youth-At-Risk Conference. MMA was one of only four schools in the nation to receive this recognition. Each school selected as a 2020 High-Flying School will receive an award of $1,000.
MMA representatives were recognized at the National Youth-At-Risk Conference held in Savannah, Georgia at the Hyatt Regency, March 8–11, 2020.
Dennis Muhammad, CCSD FACE (Family and Community Engagement) Officer; Carla Ferette-Clark – MMA CTE IT (Career and Technology Education Information Technology) Instructor; Dr. Robert Perrineau – MMA Principal; Keria Gibson – MMA Assistant Principal; Patricia Harrison – MMA Lead Teacher
“The honor bestowed from this recognition is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our scholars and professional educators,” said Principal Dr. Robert L. Perrineau, Jr. “To experience success despite the obstacles that often are innate to many of the communities with which our students reside is nothing short of amazing.”
Dennis Muhammad, Charleston County School District Family and Community Engagement Officer, nominated the school.
“I’ve been attending the National Youth at-Risk conference since 2007,” said Muhammad. “Each year, the conference awards high flying schools around the nation. The distinguishing characteristic I noticed is that each school offers something different and unique.”
A school is considered for the High Flying School Award if the school is highachieving and serves a high percentage of students at risk. To be eligible, the school must rank in its state at the 75 percentile or higher as evidenced by their state assessment system, or can highlight demonstrable growth, as measured by a research-based assessment system, in closing the achievement gap in a minimum of two academic subjects in at least two grade levels.
“I worked at Military Magnet for ten years,” said Muhamad. “It fit the mold, and its program stands out in Charleston County School District. Military Magnet Academy offers its cadets something different and unique. It uses the military model to teach leadership and character development.”
According to Perrineau, for the past two years the faculty and scholars have focused on changing the perception of the school and improving the culture and climate in the building.
“This has had the biggest impact on empowering our scholars and promoting the belief that anything is possible,” said Perrineau. “If we set our expectations high then we can achieve the individual greatness that awaits each of us. This award will only drive us more to continue preparing our young people to become integral and productive citizens in our future society.”
The programs at Military Magnet place responsibility on the shoulders of its cadets in the sixth grade and nurtures their leadership and academic abilities through their graduation.
“Military Magnet Academy is unique because it uses the military model to support public education, but it has instituted a robust college-focused culture,” said Muhammad. “I think this is part of what makes it worthy of the High Flying School Award.”
In addition, the school fosters productive business, community, and higher education partnerships and provides opportunities for students to develop citizenship skills through civic engagement and service-learning activities.
For more information contact the Principal Perrineau at (843) 745-7102.
About the Charleston County School District
Charleston County School District (CCSD) is the second largest school system in South Carolina representing a unique blend of urban, suburban, and rural schools that spans 1,000 square miles along the coast. CCSD serves more than 50,000 students in 87 schools and specialized programs. With approximately 6,100 employees district-wide, CCSD is the fourth largest employer in the region.
CCSD offers a diverse, expanding portfolio of options and specialized programs, delivered through neighborhood, charter, magnet, IB (international baccalaureate), and Montessori schools, and is divided into three Learning Communities. Options include specialized programs in science, engineering and mathematics; liberal arts; music and other creative and performing arts; career and technical preparation programs; and military and other public service enterprises.
