ROCK HILL, S.C. — The Rock Hill School District is now the first in the Palmetto State to implement the new “Leader in Me” program.
District officials say the new program is changing the way students think and “empowering them with leadership and life skills.”
“I have to be careful when I say this – school is not for everyone," Rock Hill School District Superintendent Dr. Tommy Schmolze said. "I say that meaning, I love school. I loved everything about school, but my best friend didn’t."
Because of this, Schmolze said the plan now is to focus on highlighting each student’s strengths to encourage individualized learning and he says they’ve seen great results so far.
“What you’ll see is a 3rd grader will talk to you about becoming a dental hygienist and what the steps are to becoming a dental hygienist,” Schmolze said.
The program was first tested at a few schools – including Independence and Oakdale Elementary – and the principals there say the feedback has been amazing from students and staff.
“A student who is amazing with Legos – we see that student being a future engineer," Independence Elementary School Principal Kimberly Odem said. "A student may be amazing with music and we see them performing in the local shows."
“There’s something they’re doing in the school that’s giving back to the school ... so they feel like they’re a part of it," Oakdale Elementary School Principal Jacob Moree said. "They’re not just showing up for someone to tell them what to do all day. They get to be a part of the planning and the solutions."
The district announced Wednesday that, following the success of these schools, more schools in the district will be integrated into the program in the fall of 2024 and the last few will be integrated in the fall of 2025.
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.