Hand Middle School
2600 Wheat Street
Columbia, SC 29205
Telephone: 803/343-2947
Principal: Marisa Vickers

Visit our web page at hand.rcsd1.org

View the Hand 2005 Report Card

ENROLLMENT: 946
GENERAL LOCATION: Shandon
MASCOT: Hornet
SCHOOL COLORS: Blue & Gold
GRADES: 6-8
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE: 21

SENDS STUDENTS TO: Dreher High, gr. 9-12

OUTSTANDING FEATURES/PROGRAMS:
U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence
Duke University Talent Identification Program School of Distinction
Carolina First Palmetto's Finest Winner
S.C. Association of School Administrators' School of Excellence

Flagship School of Promise
S.C. Dept. of Education Red Carpet School
Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) School Site
National School of Change Semifinalist

Exemplary Writing School Hall of Fame
Recipient of $3 million in grants, 1998-2004
Site of "Fast Forward," a Community Technology Center
Student with perfect score on SAT math, 2001, 2003
S.C. Department of Education deregulated school
S.C. History Day, first place, 1998-present
S.C. Math Counts, first place, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002; second place, 2000, 2004
Top-scoring State Math Counts student, 1999, 2000
Middle School Academic Bowl, first place, 1993 to present
S.C. Junior High School exam, first place, 1999, 2001, 2002
S.C. Band Directors' Association Outstanding Performer Award
Regan McAndrew Best Overall Middle School Award recipient
American Math Competition, first place in state, 1994, 2001, 2002, 2003
S.C. Instructional Television Technology Award
S.C. International Reading Association Exemplary Reading Teacher
S.C. Dance Association President's Award for Outstanding Service
Visual Literacy Festival Grand Prize Winner, 2002, 2003

Prudential Middle School State Volunteer of the Year

Regional Mock Trial, first place, 1119, 2001; first runner-up, 2003

South Carolina Junior Scholars
K-Swiss and Footlocker National Cool School video contest winner
Lt. Governor's Award for Excellence in Expository Writing winner
Principal's Corner television production
Drug Abuse Resistance Education program
Junior Achievement
Advanced Academic Program (AAP)
Middle School Scholars (MSS) Program
French, Spanish, German, Chinese
Dance
Drama

Technology integration

Richland One Middle School Girls' Track Championship, 2004

Richland One Middle School Girls' Regular Season & Tournament Champions in Basketball, 2000, 2001; Regular Season Champions, 2003
String music, band, chorus
Junior Great Books Program
Video production

Middle School of Excellence for Parent and Community Involvement

Golden Pencil Award for OUtstanding School Newsletter

EXTRACURRICULAR OFFERINGS:
Mock Trial
Science/Greenhouse Club
Student Council
Student Forum
Academic Team
Math Team/MathCounts NewsWeb Staff
Videoproduction Team
Violence and Substance Abuse Council
University of South Carolina Educational Talent Search
Cheerleading
STEP Team
Chess Club
Yearbook/Literary Magazine Staff
Student Ambassadors
Volleyball
Basketball
Soccer
Swimming
Wrestling
Football
Baseball
Track

Golf

SPECIAL INCENTIVES:
Nine-week Honor Assemblies
Principal's Honor Roll
Achievement Honor Roll
"B" Honor Roll
Perfect attendance recognition
School Citizen awards
Spelling bee
Geography bee
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Math
Reading Is Fundamental
Character Education Students of the Month
Junior Thespian Society
Terpsichore Society
Order of the Web writing awards
Monthly faculty and student attendance awards
Principal's Stamp of Approval in Writing

National Junior Honor Society

FACULTY INFORMATION:
Nine National Board Certified teachers
Vertical Teaming

Interdisciplinary Team Teaching

Disciplinary Literary Leaders

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
National Blue Ribbon School Special Emphasis Award for Family Involvement
Adopt-A-School Program
PLUS (People Lending Us Support) School Volunteer Program Hand Educational Foundation
City Year Program
Golden Pencil Award for Best Newsletter in District
After-School Program, "Teen Camp," at Emily Douglas Park
Fast Forward

Columbia Running Club Annual Summer Run

Shandon Cluster of Churches

Hand Educational Foundation

Science Quest

Parent-Teacher Organization

School Improvement Council

DIRECTIONS:
Leaving S.A.B., turn left on Laurel St., proceed to Harden St., turn right on Harden St. and travel approximately 1 ½ mile (top of hill), turn left on Wheat St.. School is 1 ½ mi. on the right.---(2.8 mi.)