Premier pathways for student success will be implemented at 12 elementary, 7 middle schools, and 5 high schools

The Department of Defense Education Activity awarded Richland School District 2 a $2.088 million block grant under the Competitive Grants: Promoting K-12 Student Achievement at Military-Connected Schools program (CFDA 12.556) for the period of September 30, 2022 through May 31, 2027. The grant will fund the Premier Pathways for Student Success project to implement evidence-based practices and resources across 12 elementary schools, seven middle schools, and five high schools in Columbia, South Carolina impacting approximately 3,733 military-connected students. Key components include increasing academic achievement in math and STEM, developing a healthy mindset through evidence-based strategies, extending the Advancement Via Individual Determination program, and supporting military-connected student transition programs. The purpose of the project is to focus on components necessary for academic success, STEM excellence, and mindful well-being to meet the needs of highly mobile military-connected students and provide educational continuity.

This project will impact 3,733 military-connected students that will provide a continuum of synergistic learning across our school district. The purpose of the project is to focus on the components necessary for students to achieve academic success, excel in stem, and experience mindful well-being. This innovative project will identify and implement evidence-based practices to meet the academic needs of the highly mobile military-connected students in our community. IT will provide resources that promote student achievement in the core curricular areas-including stem, promote virtual learning to increase educational program cohesiveness, and provide multi-tiered systems of support learning environments so that transitioning military-connected students are afforded the opportunity to increase educational continuity and address core content gaps due to relocations. Using a comprehensive evidence-based design, we will develop future citizens so that students fulfill their potential. This framework does not seek to divorce itself from academic development but rather to expand what constitutes academic development in the 21ST century by refocusing attention on all attributes required for educational and societal success. Key components of the project include 1) increasing academic achievement-especially in math and stem 2) developing a healthy mindset through evidence-based strategies, 3) extending avid, and 4) supporting military-connected student transition programs.