McKissick Elementary School is set to transform into the McKissick Academy of Science & Technology in the fall of 2018!
Click here to apply online!
If you're having trouble with the online application, click here to download and print a paper copy.
MAST will be committed to giving students an edge in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Education, and it will introduce
a Project-Based Learning curriculum based on the "three pillars" of STEM:
Biomedical Science, Computer Science, and Engineering Design.
On January 22, the school board approved MAST's five year plan to integrate its project-based curriculum.
In addition to project-based learning in all classrooms, students will have
access to the "Shark Tank," a computer lab and maker-space in which students
will have the opportunity to showcase their observations. New principal Heather
Touchberry is currently in the process of providing professional development
for staff to prepare for the new theme, and making key hires such as a
full-time computer science teacher to guarantee that students have unique STEM
instruction.
McKissick will offer a Montessori program in a “school-within-a-school” setting with two Montessori classrooms. The Montessori Method of education is a child-centered educational approach that values the human spirit and the development of the whole child—physical, social, emotional, cognitive. The Montessori Primary Class will be for grades 3K through 5K and the Montessori Lower Elementary program will be for grades 1st through 3rd. The 2018-2019 school year will be a transition year with Montessori enrollment open only for 3K through 1st grade.
Students who
live in the McKissick Elementary School zone are automatically approved to
attend MAST. Students who are currently zoned for McKissick, but who will be
zoned for another school in 2018-2019 will be approved to attend MAST as long
as families can provide their own transportation. The school also encourages
students outside the McKissick zone to attend on school choice. The district
does not provide transportation for students attending outside the school’s
zone. If the number of school choice applications exceed school capacity, the
school district will use a lottery system to determine admission. The
application period for students to school choice into MAST will run from
February 7 until March 14. The school will begin to notify applicants about
acceptance on March 28.
The school will
also hold several informational meetings:
- February 5 -
Three meetings will be held for families already zoned for McKissick.
- 8:30 a.m. at
11:30 a.m. at the school (156 McKissick Road, Easley)
- 11:30 a.m.
at the school
- 6:00 p.m. at
the Dream Center (111 Hillcrest Drive, Easley)
- February 12
- 6:00 p.m. at the school. Interested families from all attendance areas
are encouraged to attend.
Families who are
currently zoned for McKissick will receive a letter of intent in the mail on
January 24, which they are encouraged to fill out and return to the school by
February 2. These letters will help the district determine how many spots are
open for school choice.