School District Five has been awarded an additional $75,000 through the Stronger Connections Grant from the South Carolina Department of Education to support expanded services for students at Irmo Middle School.
In January 2024, School District Five was awarded a two-year grant to create The Hive which provides students enrolled at Irmo Middle School with a safer and healthier learning environment to support improved academic achievement, social-emotional wellness, and safety. Irmo Middle School has a total student enrollment of 986 with 63 percent of students identified as Pupils in Poverty. A multi-faceted needs assessment concluded that access to a comprehensive afterschool program at no cost to families will improve student outcomes.
The additional money received will allow the district to expand the HIVE program’s capacity to align more deeply with TransformSC’s Priority #2—facilitating education in high-impact career pathways and attainment of work-relevant skills. The HIVE program will add:
• Career Exploration Workshops led by local professionals in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, digital media, and skilled trades.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) connections that introduce students to real-world tools, techniques, and technologies tied to in-demand industries.
• Student-led capstone projects that address real-world problems with guidance from local businesses and organizations.
The concept of The Hive is based on the comprehensive Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model developed by the Center for Disease Control’s framework for addressing health in schools and emphasizes evidence-based policies and practices through school, community, and family connections that promote school connectedness. The Hive incorporates key components of the WSCC model to foster a healthy, safe, and supportive environment for Irmo Middle School students including physical education and physical activity, positive social and emotional climate, community involvement, and family engagement.
The Stronger Connections Subgrant Program is funded by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA), authorized by Title IV, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and administered by the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE). The purpose of the Stronger Connections Subgrant Program is to provide students with safer and healthier learning environments and fund only activities allowable under section 4108 of the ESEA. Subgrant funds must be used to develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive programs within high need school districts.
