Starr-Iva Middle School

In 1953, construction began on an equalization school that was first known as New Deal School. At a time when educational opportunities for Black students in rural South Carolina were limited and unequal, the building stood as a place of access, growth, and possibility.

For years, it served Black children in grades 1 through 12, becoming a second home to generations of students and staff who walked its hallways.
As schools integrated and time moved forward, New Deal School became Starr-Iva Jr. High and finally Starr-Iva Middle School. Through every season of change, the “school on the hill” has remained a steady presence in the Starr-Iva community.

Now, more than seventy years later, it’s still standing and serving students, and it's the oldest school facility in our district. We honor what it represents in Black history and in our local history. We also recognize that the same building that once represented opportunity in 1953 no longer meets students' needs in 2026.

Celebrating Black History Month means remembering what was started in New Deal and understanding why progress matters. The legacy of this school deserves to be honored, and our students deserve a learning environment built for their future.

🧪🏆 We Are So Proud! 🏆🧪 Congratulations to Jonathan Friedman for qualifying and attending the Science Bee Competition in Columbia this past Saturday! 🌟 Competing at that level is an incredible accomplishment, and we are so proud of his hard work, dedication, and love of learning. Way to represent us so well, Jonathan! 👏 Keep reaching for the stars — your future is bright! 🚀✨

🎃💻 STEM in Action at Sims! 🌱✨ Mrs. Caldwell and Mrs. Dickerson are absolutely ACING it by blending Agriculture and Technology in the most engaging way! Students used micro:bits and sensors to collect real-time data and determine whether their pumpkin plants needed water. Through hands-on coding and problem-solving, they learned how technology can support smart, efficient agricultural practices. Even better: every student was fully engaged and had the opportunity to take turns coding in Ag class! 🙌 This is what authentic learning looks like: collaboration, critical thinking, and real-world application all in one lesson. We are so proud of the innovation happening at Sims! 💚

Congrats to these kiddos for positive referrals this week! Keep up the great work!!! ❤️🐅

In honor of National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day this week, we wanted to jump on and give our SRO a shout-out! We are incredibly grateful for Officer Ryan McCall, our SIMS School Resource Officer. Officer McCall is a constant, positive presence in our building each and every day. From directing morning traffic and greeting students with a smile as they arrive, to monitoring classrooms, walking the halls, and supporting students and staff throughout the day, he is always there for our school community. You’ll also find him at after-school events, continuing to show up for our kids and families. What truly sets Officer McCall apart is his proactive commitment to safety. He is continually thinking of ways to make SIMS an even safer place for our students and staff. SIMS is a safer school because of Officer McCall, and we are extremely thankful for his presence, partnership, and unwavering support. 💙

Tonight is the night! All visitors should park in the bus rider lot. There will be SGA Student Ambassadors along with SIMS Staff to point you in the right direction. We will have The Book Fair, an English I Wax Museum, a space to share Premier Progress- Vision 2026: Crescent Middle School, student work displayed in our halls and classrooms, and much more. We can't wait to see you!

We ❤️ our precious bus drivers. They're the first smiling faces to greet most of our kids, and we are thankful for the way they help us start our day!

Last Friday was a day full of fun and celebration! 🎉 Students enjoyed participating in Clubs during the morning, exploring their interests and building connections outside the classroom. Later, Mrs. Simpson’s and Mrs. Powell’s classes proudly cashed in their weekly “bucks” for demonstrating positive behavior and making great choices all week long. 💙 We love celebrating our students for doing the right thing and creating a positive school culture! 👏✨

Our SC ALT Testing Window at SIMS begins on March 2nd 2026 and ends on April 17th 2026.

Our cafeteria is always amazing, but our students L❤️VE the biscuit bar!

Congratulations to Mrs. Cape and this Robotics Team for their success in this past weekend's competition. They placed 4th overall, received The Build Award, and they qualified for and will compete in the 2026 SC Vex IQ Robotics Middle School State Championship on February 28th in Greenville! Go Tigers!🐅

We had to catch up on Positive Referrals last week! We are so very proud of these kiddos for being great students and friends at SIMS!

Happy Sunday! This is just a reminder about today's Community Conversations Event at SIMS from 4:00pm-5:00pm. We hope to see you there!

What a fun week of learning at SIMS?! Our 8th graders are getting hands-on with math practicing angle pairs and strengthening their understanding through interactive activities. Learning by doing- our students and teachers are UNCOMMON! ❤️

💛🖤 Happy National School Counseling Week! 🖤💛 This week, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our incredible school counselors and mental health counselors, who truly do it all for our students, our staff, and our families. Our counselors work tirelessly behind the scenes and front and center every single day. They meet with students one-on-one, helping them navigate academics, friendships, emotions, and the ups and downs of middle school life. They build schedules, make adjustments, answer countless questions, and ensure students are placed where they can be successful. They partner with parents and guardians, making phone calls, holding meetings, and providing guidance and reassurance during important moments. They deliver classroom lessons, teaching essential skills that support students socially, emotionally, and academically. They step in to cover classes, support teachers, chaperone field trips, and do whatever is needed to keep our school running smoothly. Our counselors are also present beyond the school day-attending games, performances, and extracurricular activities, cheering on our students and showing them they matter outside the classroom too. They are listeners, encouragers, problem-solvers, advocates, and constant sources of support. Middle school is a critical time, and our counselors help guide students through it with patience, compassion, and heart. SIMS is better because of you, and we are so grateful for the impact you make every single day. 💛🖤 Thank you for loving our kids, supporting our families, and being such an essential part of the Starr-Iva Middle School Tiger family! 🐯🖤💛

WIDA Access Testing Window: 2/2/26 - 3/6/26

⏰ 2-Hour Delay ⏰

Anderson 3 will operate on a 2-hour delay schedule for Tuesday, February 3.
Thank you for your patience and continued support as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff. 🐯❄️

Congratulations to our SIMS Staff Spotlight for the month of January, Mrs. Tina Curry! We are thankful for the way she commits to and engages our students at SIMS!

Check out what's happening at SIMS in February!

Looks like the Tiger’s been hard at work! 🐯💨❄️

We will operate on a normal schedule for Friday, January 30.