Howe Hall Shines Heading Into Tenth Year

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary this fall, Goose Creek's Howe Hall Arts Infused Magnet School has something to celebrate. The school passed the South Carolina's 2011 Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) test with flying colors.

More than 90 percent of the students tested in 12 of 13 categories passed. Districtwide, Berkeley schools averaged a pass rate between the mid '70s to low '80s in most categories.

In fifth grade social studies, 100 percent of the Howe Hall students passed compared to the district pass rate of 72 percent. In third grade language arts, 86.5 percent of the school's students scored "exemplary."

Magnet schools can often offer success stories, but Howe Hall's good fortunes are surprising because students are enrolled through a lottery system with no tests or auditions required. All that is necessary is an application from the parents for a chance.

New principal Christopher Swetckie says the diverse student body matched with the school's art-infused programs drive success. "Every public school has the same standards," he said. "What makes this place truly unique is that they use the arts to make those standards come to life. It’s not an art school — we’re not Fame — but we're not your traditional elementary school. We found the balance."

Swetckie said the school's success is also due to passion and enthusiasm of its teachers. "One teacher wanted to show me all the props she got the summer that she is going to use to teach third grade history," he said.

Welcome To the Yankees

Former principal Marty French, a Daniel Island resident, transferred this summer to Daniel Island School. Howe Hall's success has left Swetckie with some big shoes to fill. "When you inherit the New York Yankees after they win the World Series, you want to do it again," he said.

But Swetckie said he sees room for improvement in those numbers. "The next step for us is being the school where we set up systems and processes so that 100 percent of the students hit the standard," he said.

The principal said his resume at different schools should be an asset in reaching that excellence. He was an administrator at suburban Cario Middle School and spent three years as principal at the largely rural McClellanville Middle School.

"What I've found that is consistent with Howe Hall AIMS, McCllelleinville, Mt. Pleasant and, I bet if I put a school on the moon, it would be the same way: Kids really enjoy talking, moving and messing," Swetckie said. "The arts gives you a structure and a purpose for that movement."

Three Tips for First-Day Success

Swetckie offered three tips for success this school year:

1. Read: "I'm a firm believer that the best way to get a kid back and ready for school is to spend some time reading with your child. It activates the brain and gets them thinking about school."
2. Visit: "I think for parents who are new to a school should come by and visit to make sure the transition goes smoothly." Open house at Howe Hall is Aug. 11.
3. Practice: "I know in my house, we practice our back-to-school routine in the week before school starts. We do dress rehearsals for a week to get used to getting up and getting used to that routine."