Story by Jen Jordan / September 8, 2016
Charleston, SC – Meeting Street Academy students and faculty welcomed the fall 2016 school year with a two-story, 17,640-SF addition to their growing K-5 campus and the donation of Ozobots by Choate Construction Company. The expansion provides needed classroom space for a growing student population and a state-of-the-art turf playground. The Ozobots will be incorporated into one of MSA’s highly acclaimed after school programs, and will offer students an introduction to advanced technology through coding.
Meeting Street Academy received fully-loaded Ozobot Classroom Kits accompanied with Ozobot’s Construction Series Accessory Kits. Ozobots, a miniature programmable robot, introduce children to simple code language through colored code pieces and pathways. The robots offer endless downloadable and customizable lesson plans plus an online forum for children across the globe to share their challenges, accomplishments, and ideas with fellow Ozobot coders. Choate’s donation supports the focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education, providing Meeting Street Academy students an outlet to enhance their programming skills.
Dirk Bedford, Principal at Meeting Street Academy (Charleston) says, “We are incredibly grateful to Choate Construction for not only providing our students and faculty a beautiful new facility, but also for their generous gift. Technology is an essential tool to education, and Ozobots will enhance learning opportunities and foster interest in programing. This gift will continue to impact our students long after they have left Meeting Street Academy’s doors.”
Nearly 80% of Meeting Street Academy students attend their numerous after-school programs. Meeting Street Academy’s Lego Robotics Team ranked in the top 25% of the 2016 South Carolina FIRST® LEGO® League, an impressive feat considering it was the school’s second year competing. Choate Construction’s in-house VirtualWorks team utilizes innovative virtual construction technology tools each day, pushing the limits of construction management. Because of this kinship, Choate felt a strong connection to Meeting Street Academy’s passion for technology and wanted a way to further support these young students and their interests.
“We have a great appreciation for the wonderful work that takes place at Meeting Street Academy, and are grateful to play a small role in support of their mission. It’s very exciting to expose these young students to our ever-changing digital world at such an early age,” said Matt Brewer, Vice President and Division Manager of Choate’s Charleston division.
Click here for the article link on the Choate Construction website.
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Start Your Career!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.
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.
MSA Spartanburg stands 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. MSA Spartanburg 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.
MS Brentwood is a place where education meets opportunity. Serving the Brentwood area, this school is a testament to the transformative power of education. With a student-centered approach that celebrates diversity and encourages excellence, MS Brentwood is dedicated to equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century. MS 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 MSS network.
Located in a community rich with history and culture, MS 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 MS Burns are not only recipients of knowledge but also active participants in their educational journey. MS Burns 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, MS Burns is forging a new path in public education.
MS Jasper represents the 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, MS Jasper puts a major emphasis on character development, specialized learning and equips students to become thoughtful, engaged members of society, reflecting the MSS ethos of empowerment through education.
“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.”
“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.”
Meeting Street Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, or national or ethnic in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarships or loan programs, and athletic or other school-administered programs.
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