Alumni Weekend: The March Madness Replay

May 10, 2023

Our alumni are such incredible humans with varied accomplishments, passions, and limitless potential to change the world. We have a future oceanographer, graphic designers, veterinarians, forensic scientists, an oncologist, screenwriters, many entrepreneurs, and more. During our third annual network-wide Alumni Weekend event in April, we celebrated, reconnected, and shared internships, programs, and community networks with our alums and our graduating classes! 

We want to remove barriers and provide opportunities, so that these current and future leaders can fully and freely pursue their dreams. This Alumni Weekend was all about opportunities and “March Madness.” During our Community Expo, alumni were connected to select opportunities we vetted and chose specifically with them in mind. These opportunities are offered in partnership with community organizations like Green Heart, Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholarship, Grip Tape, Teen SHARP and more! 

Most notably we highlighted our first ever Alum of the Year and Alumni Families of the Year. This will be a special honor bestowed yearly across the Meeting Street Schools Network. Our Alumna of the year is Ms. Sanaa Belcher, current 8th grader at Charleston County School of the Arts, majoring in dance. Sanaa is the epitome of doing the most and always reaching for her dreams! She has come to every single Teen SHARP workshop, she has stayed connected with her mentor, she works hard in school and takes every ounce of feedback possible, she follows up and goes the extra mile, she is kind, she is loyal, she is amazing. We want her to know that she has so many people in her corner who love and support her and cannot wait for her to represent the Meeting Street School Alumni community for the next year.

This first year of our Alumni Family of the Year awards, we would be remiss if we did not honor some founding and forever grandmothers who have been with Meeting Street every year since their grandbabies started. Many of them have grandchildren who have graduated and left Meeting Street Academy and come back daily to work and support the mission. They are a testament to One Team, One Family as all students know that they are loved and valued by them. A resounding congratulations goes to Ms. Darlene, Ms. Lynn, Ms. LaSheia, and Ms. Antionette. From the bottom of our hearts we are endlessly grateful. 

We also held our second annual Alumni Basketball Tournament, this time coached and reffed by the College of Charleston’s Men’s basketball team. Our alumni teams were beautifully mixed with Meeting Street alums ranging from 7th-college freshman from all three Charleston campuses, current graduating Meeting Street students, current and alum parents and family members, former and current staff members, AND a few of College of Charleston’s basketball players. Not to mention our amazing families and community members who filled the stands. We had two close and super fun games and a nail biting final game which ended 45-44! Congratulations to our first tournament champs!

Want to listen to the full recap? Follow “The Alumni Pop By” Podcast and check out Episode 8: Where We Review Alumni Weekend, now on all listening platforms!

 

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About Meeting Street Schools

Meeting Street Schools (MSS) is an innovative non-profit where schools, families, and the community collaborate to create environments where all children can achieve their full potential. With a network of schools across South Carolina, including MSA-Charleston (Charleston, SC), MSA-Spartanburg (Spartanburg, SC), MS-Brentwood (North Charleston, SC), MS-Burns (North Charleston, SC), and MS-Jasper & Beaufort (Jasper, SC), we are committed to providing students with the rigorous education they deserve.

Founded on the principle that every child deserves an excellent education regardless of their socio-economic background, Meeting Street Schools has been a beacon of hope and a testament to what's possible in education. Our schools are driven by a strong focus on student achievement, evidence-based instruction, and relentless support of our students and their families.

While united by our shared mission, each MSS campus, is unique in its character, tapping into the local spirit of the communities they serve. Explore each of our schools and discover how they're creating a brighter future for students in South Carolina.

News & NotesHow a cafeteria team nourished families affected by Hurricane Helene

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Our Schools

Meeting Street Academy – CharlestonDowntown Charleston, SC - Independent School - Since 2008 - 364 Students

Nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, MSA Charleston is more than just a school—it’s a hub for innovative learning and community engagement. As part of the Meeting Street Schools network, MSA Charleston embodies a commitment to excellence through its rigorous academic programs, inclusive culture, and focus on developing the whole child. With a curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal growth, MSA Charleston prepares students to be curious learners and active citizens of their community.

Meeting Street Academy – SpartanburgDowntown Spartanburg, SC - Public Charter School - Since 2012 - 323 Students

Meeting Street Academy – Spartanburg is as a pillar of educational innovation in the Spartanburg community. The school’s dedicated educators and supportive learning environment ensure that each child receives a high-quality, personalized education with exceptional faculty and teachers. The Academy is distinguished by its emphasis on community partnership, fostering relationships that extend beyond the classroom to build a strong foundation for lifelong learning and success.

Meeting Street – BrentwoodNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2014 - 850 Students

Meeting Street – Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this neighborhood Public School of Innovation is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, Meeting Street – Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. Meeting Street – Brentwood also serves as a hub for the Brentwood community to access educational and wellness services. The school’s commitment to innovation, coupled with a warm, welcoming environment, makes it a standout in the Meeting Street Schools network.

Meeting Street – BurnsNorth Charleston, SC - Public School - Since 2018 - 478 Students

Located in a community rich with history and culture, Meeting Street – Burns is renowned for its dynamic educational approach that intertwines traditional learning with modern teaching techniques. The school’s focus on experiential learning ensures that students at Meeting Street – Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. The school exists to spark an educational revolution for the students and families in the Dorchester-Waylyn Neighborhood in North Charleston. With a commitment to creating a supportive and challenging academic environment, Meeting Street – Burns is forging a new path in public education.

Meeting Street – Jasper & BeaufortJasper County, SC - Public Charter School - Fall 2023 -

Meeting Street – Jasper & Beaufort represents Meeting Street Schools’ dedication to community-based education with a global perspective. The school provides a nurturing environment where students are encouraged to explore their potential and cultivate a love for learning. With its diverse programs such as Eureka Math, and Wit and Wisdom, Meeting Street – Jasper & Beaufort puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the Meeting Street ethos of empowerment through education.

CommunityVoices

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“We come into work everyday truly believing that our students are capable of achieving anything that is put in front of them. Here at MSS, students are provided the opportunity to achieve success through the facilitation of well-educated teachers, resources, and a responsive classroom school environment.”

— NikToshia GilesTeacher

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“Meeting Street Academy is my family. They taught me that I am valuable. I am an asset to the world…They asked me, ‘What is your dream?’ I had never been asked that before. The MSS community gives me the strength to pursue my dreams.”

— Kadelyn SteedStudent

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“MSA is a family. Once you’re in, you’re in. They said they would follow our kids from K-3 to college and they actually lived up to what they said they would do. Not only did MSA challenge my daughter academically but it also exposed her to new things that she probably wouldn’t have been exposed to at our previous neighborhood school. Our journey at MSA was exciting and rewarding. They actually walk the walk.”

— Tyeka GrantParent

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