South Florence High School awarded Arts in Basic Curriculum School Certification

Florence, S.C. – South Florence High School has been awarded ABC School Certification by Arts in Basic Curriculum Institute for exemplary efforts to provide quality, comprehensive arts education to all students.

South Florence has been an ABC site since 2003, and has worked aggressively to implement a “State of the Art” large-scale fine arts initiative to increase all student learning, the effectiveness of teachers, and participation in the arts.

“The South Carolina Arts Commission grant will be immensely beneficial for a wide range of initiatives within our arts community,” said Fine Arts Department Chair Eric Terry. “Funding for projects, artist support, community engagement, and innovation will help us achieve our mission of providing valuable resources and opportunities that can help bring artistic visions to life and make meaningful contributions to society.”

All ABC Schools must have an approved arts education strategic plan that outlines the commitments of resources, personnel, and partnerships that will be required and maintained over five years. Such commitments require grant-writing, partnerships with local cultural organizations, and specialized professional development. According to Dr. Kim Wilson, ABC Institute Director, “ABC Certified Schools believe that the arts are an essential component in the basic curriculum and are central to student development. Each school is unique but all understand how to make meaningful connections to art in all aspects of life and learning, understand how an arts-rich environment inspires creativity, and the role the arts play in defining our students’ diverse cultures but defining a schools’ inclusive culture.” 

Designation of ABC School is achieved through a rigorous certification process. “Being certified as an ABC School means your school is ready and willing to serve as a model for others across the state and across the nation,” said Director Wilson. “ABC Schools know the “why” to their often unconventional and courageous choices. They can provide the pedagogical rationale, evidence and data to support those choices, and models of practice to clearly communicate the benefits of the arts to others.” 

ABC Certified Schools are eligible for ABC Advancement grants, a South Carolina Arts Commission grant ABC Advancement grants support schools committed to implementing standards-based art curricula and to making the arts an integral part of the basic curriculum and daily classroom instruction (https://www.southcarolinaarts.com/grant/abc/). 

ABOUT SOUTH FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL

As we strive towards excellence for all students, it is our goal to be outstanding in all that we do. We aim to provide outstanding student experiences, outstanding parent engagement opportunities, and outstanding support for all stakeholders. Working toward excellence as a premier arts magnet high school with engaging opportunities for our diverse student population is our daily goal. It is our responsibility to support our students both academically and emotionally throughout their high school years so that all students are well prepared to enter college, a career, or the military.

The mission of South Florence High School is to provide students with meaningful learning experiences which allow them to explore academic and career interests, develop character, and master skills necessary to achieve success in college, a career, or the military. SFHS will provide equitable opportunities in academic, fine arts, career and technical courses, and extracurricular organizations in a safe and positive environment for all students. Visit southflorence.f1s.org or call 843.664.8190, and follow @southflorencehighschool on social media. 

ABOUT THE ARTS IN BASIC CURRICULUM INSTITUTE

The mission of the Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Institute is to provide leadership to achieve quality, comprehensive arts education (creative writing, dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual art) to all South Carolina students. ABC Institute supports educators and communities that actively invest in arts education as a vital contribution to student development and cultural transformation within a learning environment. 

Established in 1987, founded by the belief that all students deserve equal access to quality arts education as an essential educational promise, the ABC Institute is cooperatively governed by the South Carolina Arts Commission, the South Carolina Department of Education, and Winthrop University. ABC Institute fulfills its mission through three strategic goals focused on best practices, research, and policy. Visit abcinstitutesc.org or call 803.323.2451, and follow @abcInstitutesc on social media. 

ABOUT THE SOUTH CAROLINA ARTS COMMISSION

The mission of the South Carolina Arts Commission (SCAC) is to promote equitable access to the arts and support the cultivation of creativity in South Carolina. We envision a South Carolina where the arts are valued and all people benefit from a variety of creative experiences.

A state agency created by the South Carolina General Assembly in 1967, the SCAC works to increase public participation in the arts by providing grants, direct programs, staff assistance and partnerships in three key areas: arts education, community arts development, and artist development. Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the SCAC is funded by the state of South Carolina, by the federal government through the National Endowment for the Arts, and other sources. Visit SouthCarolinaArts.com or call 803.734.8696, and follow @scartscomm on social media.