Berkeley Charter Education Association, which is committed to bringing school choice options to all areas of South Carolina, and the Charter Institute at Erskine, which authorizes high-quality charter schools to elevate educational opportunities through innovation and creativity, are bringing a new educational opportunity to the Orangeburg, South Carolina community for the 2024-2025 school year. The school will be named the Willie Jeffries School of Excellence (WJSE) in honor of football legend Coach Willie Jeffries who believes all students can succeed with the right opportunity and “success has no ZIP Code”.
Willie Jeffries School of Excellence will be a free public charter school, serving kindergarten-8th grade students, designed to attract a diverse community of learners with equal access to academic rigor, technology-infused instruction, and leadership opportunities in academics, social-emotional intelligence, community service, and athletics. With a strong focus on academics, school culture, and community, students who attend the WJSE will receive a free, world-class education.
Our children deserve a thriving educational environment to ensure a thriving future filled with opportunity. After all, they are the future of South Carolina and your investment will make a difference in their lives and the lives of the parents and teachers, and our community. Join us today in pledging your support! Contact Principal Dr. Fabien McGill at [email protected], call 803-206-2131 or complete our convenient pledge form either in print or digital form to play a role in creating a brighter future in Orangeburg County.
We at WJSE believe that every child has the ability to learn and achieve their goals in school and in life. A whole-child approach, real-world experiences, and an individualized student learning approach to academics are key to the success of every student attending WJSE. Creating our curriculum involves crafting a learner-centered foundation, which gradually shifts to a problem-centered approach as the year unfolds. We will continuously revisit the content throughout the year, allowing students to engage with it on multiple occasions. By immersing students in real-world scenarios, we foster critical thinking. This approach prompts students to explore their interests and enhance both strengths and weaknesses culminating in a successful transition to high school. “Differentiation means tailoring instruction to meet individual needs. Whether teachers differentiate content, process, products, or the learning environment, the use of ongoing assessment and flexible grouping makes this a successful approach to instruction.” – Tomlinson, C. A. (August, 2000)
The values we embody—Enrichment, Achievement, Grit, Leadership, and Engagement (EAGLE)—will be our guiding principles to propel our students to be future leaders, educators, critical thinkers, and life-long learners. We aim for our students to exert effort, demonstrate courage, and acquire the necessary skills to attain success and achievement.
Within the WJSE environment, a cohesive effort will be fostered among students, parents, families, staff, community partners, and business proprietors. This collective endeavor will be dedicated to endorsing, fortifying, and nurturing a range of distinct opportunities that will not only benefit the school but also make a positive impact on the community at large. Our school will be a community and educational resource for students, parents, and the community. By synergizing the strengths and resources of each group, a dynamic collaboration will be cultivated to create an enriching and empowering educational experience, fostering growth and development, and contributing to the overall well-being of both the school and the local community.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming school year, exciting developments are underway for us at the Willie Jeffries School of Excellence. We are proud to share updates on its eagerly awaited new building project, a testament to its commitment to providing the best possible educational experience for its students. Embarking on this transformative journey, the construction plan is strategically divided into two distinct phases to ensure an unwavering commitment to excellence:
The initial phase involves the installation of cozy temporary modular classrooms directly on the campus grounds, ready for the 2024-2025 school year. This approach enables uninterrupted learning experiences while essential groundwork, such as roadways and infrastructure, is thoroughly laid out. Picture it as the creation of a temporary educational village, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge remains at the forefront.
*Disclaimer: The images displayed are examples provided by Libertas Academy – Boiling Springs for illustrative purposes. |
The real magic unfolds in the second phase as the construction of the brand-new school building begins. More than just construction, this phase transforms the construction site into a live learning lab. Students will witness engineering and construction in action, turning the building process into a unique and immersive real-world classroom experience.
Click above to take a virtual tour of the completed WJSE building.
Beyond bricks and mortar, this project signifies the school’s dedication to building futures and creating new opportunities for students, families, and the broader community. We are thrilled to share this journey with all stakeholders, as together, we embark on the mission to build something truly great.
Dr. Fabien McGill comes to WJSE with a wealth of knowledge, stemming from his academic degrees and real-world education experience. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from the College of Charleston in 2016. Since then, he has continued his education, earning a Master of Education from the University of South Carolina and an Educational Specialist degree from Albany State University. He recently received his Doctor of Education at South Carolina State University. Principal McGill has worked in many roles throughout his career, allowing him to bring a well-rounded perspective to his new role. Since graduating with his bachelor’s degree, he has worked as a math instructor in Columbia, S.C., an educational consultant in Bethlehem, Pa., and an assistant principal at a “Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School of Excellence” in Fort Mill, S.C. For more information: https://wjschool.org/meet-our-principal/
Dr. Stewart Weinberg retired to Charleston in 2012, after serving eight years as the superintendent of the Dallastown Area School District. Prior to Dallastown, Dr. Weinberg served as the superintendent in Ladue, Missouri; Fairbanks, Alaska; and Lawrence, New York. Previous administrative positions included: assistant superintendent, high school principal, and high school and middle school assistant principal. Dr. Weinberg earned his Master’s degree, and Ph.D. from New York University in New York City. Dr. Weinberg’s two major passions are education and Climate Change. As an educator, he presently serves as the president of the Berkeley Charter Education Association which is the board for Mevers School of Excellence and Berkeley Preparatory Academy. He is the community representative for the City of Charleston’s Resilience and Sustainability Advisory Committee and serves on numerous environmental organizations.
Meet board members from the Berkeley Charter Education Association: https://wjschool.org/board/