Ridge View High School wins Whole Child Award
March 2, 2022
Caring for the whole child is infused in the culture at Ridge View High School. The school in Richland School District Two is known for providing students with the tools needed to excel in the Four A’s: Academics, Activities, Arts and Athletics. Smaller learning communities are used to support students academically, socially, and emotionally. Ridge View’s success with meeting the needs of their students has earned it the ASCD Whole Child Award. The South Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development sponsors the award program which seeks to identify schools that have created a culture with programs that exemplify the five Whole Child tenets of Healthy, Safe, Engaged, Supported, and Challenged.
- Each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle.
- Each student learns in an environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults.
- Each student is actively engaged in learning and is connected to the school and broader community.
- Each student has access to personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults.
- Each student is challenged academically and prepared for success in college or further study and for employment and participation in a global environment.
Ridge View Principal Dr. Brenda Mack-Foxworth says, “Through teaching and learning goals centered on science, technology, engineering, arts, math, and medical collaboration and using AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) best teaching strategies in all classrooms, we are preparing students today for tomorrow. At Ridge View High School, we are here to ensure that students experience a sense of belonging and that they become a part of a smaller community where they may study, grow, and prosper in their chosen career path.”
In 2017, Ridge View was awarded a federal grant to implement the Med Pro school-wide magnet program. Med Pro applys science, technology, engineering, arts, math and medical themes into all classrooms. Ridge View offers two additional magnet programs: the Institute of Health Sciences and the Scholars Academy Magnet for Business and Law. Both have been designated as Excellent for diversity and equity and received National Certification from Magnet Schools of America. Students also benefit from four smaller learning communities that include the tuition-free Richland Two AVID Early College, Blazer Academy, Carolina Alliance and Technology for computer science and engineering, and the School of the Arts. Each magnet and small learning community has a director and a counselor paired with students to ensure they are getting an individualized learning experience.
Ridge View will receive three complimentary registrations for the South Carolina ASCD Fall Conference, and a $2,500 grant, given for the purpose of implementing other goals related to the tenets of The Whole Child Initiative. Richland Two sister school, Sandlapper Elementary School was a finalist for this award.
