Proximate access to quality education is a hallmark of any thriving community. When kids are happy, engaged, and challenged, parents can breathe a sigh of relief. Combine engaged kids with spectacular nature and a strong community network and you have potential that knows no bounds. This is Daufuskie’s opportunity.
In the fall of 2022, noting the difficulty of the secondary school years for families on the island, a group of parents came together to discuss avenues for addressing educational challenges and for creating educational opportunities on the island. Though online school had been a blessing for some, for many other students it led to isolation and poor educational outcomes. For some, commuting to Hilton Head Island Middle School was an adventure. For many others, it meant enduring bullying and the weakening of meaningful connections with family and community due to the extensive travel time. As the parent group looked at the island’s values as a whole and assessed the many resources available in the community, they jointly crafted Daufuskie Island Independent School’s Vision:
“We believe every child, in every community, deserves access to a rich, rigorous, and well-rounded education. By partnering with communities, we instill a love of learning, foster a culture of creativity, create an atmosphere of belonging, and encourage all learners to recognize and reach their potential.”
Impact
It’s difficult to believe that meeting was only a year-and-a-half ago and that now Daufuskie Island Independent School (DIIS) is in the fourth quarter of its first year. Recognizing that current middle schoolers were impacted by COVID in their mid-elementary years–critically important years for foundational reading, writing, and math skills–opening for the 2023-24 school year was a priority and a promise to the community. Shoring up skills skipped over from the upheaval of the pandemic was an important focus of the first semester. Small class sizes allowed teachers to focus on individual students and stretch them. The outcomes for the families involved cannot be understated.
“Daufuskie Island Independent School has brought out a side of my son I didn’t know existed. I’ve seen tremendous growth in all subjects. In prior school years, he actively hated writing assignments. Now, I’ll notice him getting excited to work with Ms. Price on his book. In math, he went from needing help with homework every night to being able to do his work 100% on his own. In addition to learning essentials, he’s also learning some vital life skills that will help him well beyond his time at DIIS. He has really come out of his shell this year and will actively participate in discussions both at school and at home. The growth I’ve witnessed has been exceptional and honestly hard to put into words.”
Key to DIIS’s success is the culture they are building. Important elements of academic courses include connection to place and connection to community. These two principles are carefully woven throughout the curriculum. By design, Daufuskie becomes students’ living classroom and a springboard to understanding the world around them, including their role as global citizens.
A culture of respect means students value their fellow classmates and what they bring to the classroom. A culture of learning encourages students to ask questions and teaches them how to think instead of what to think. A culture of a diversity of learners encourages many perspectives and styles of learning. A culture of resilience reminds us that growth is the point of the learning process, which means struggle is a necessary element. A culture of individual discovery entails taking risks and providing opportunities for students to move out of their comfort zones. These five main cultural tenants inform decision-making from curriculum delivery to program selection.
What Sets DIIS Apart
The level of community involvement at DIIS is unique. In addition to staff, community members teach PE and art classes in which they share their wealth of experience and talent. The involvement of community members is critical to helping educate the whole child and to bridging
the younger and older generations. Blessed by over 35 volunteers, DIIS students have participated in units on drama, voice, painting, clay, stampmaking, pickleball, tennis, swimming, personal fitness, dance, and ping pong. The relationships built with community volunteers have been special and the students truly consider them friends. One community volunteer noted, “I have noticed the students become intensely involved in whatever project they are given. They look forward to each challenge a class presents.” By sharing their talents, community volunteers have truly expanded the students’ world.
Of particular interest are DIIS’s science and marine science programs. Believing that middle school is the time to hook students on science, DIIS has put together an inquiry driven and hands-on science curriculum that engages students and teaches them to explore possible answers through experimentation. In memory of community member Vicki Nolfi’s commitment and love for science education, the Nolfi Family generously sponsored the outfitting of science classrooms, so students have the scientific tools necessary to explore and experiment and learn to think like scientists.
With the beach as the school’s front yard, students benefit from a relevant and sophisticated marine science curriculum focused on connecting them to their environment. Understanding the challenges Daufuskie faces helps students become good stewards of the island. With the academic involvement of USCB, Coastal Carolina University, and SC SEA Grant, DIIS students have access to professionals currently working on marine issues who are passionate about the health of our marine ecosystems. This involvement has facilitated broader community education as well.
The Future
When asked how I see Daufuskie Island Independent School’s role in the community I say, “Our goal as a school is to be a resource for the community. Whether that is directly educating our students, organizing extracurricular activities on the island for youth, bringing in a NASA speaker for middle and high schoolers, opening our GIS unit to community members, or being a catalyst for growth, we want to help create academic experiences on the island. Up to this point, Daufuskie isn’t readily recognized for its schooling options. Daufuskie Island Independent School’s goal is not just to create access to middle school education on the island, but also to harness the incredible living classroom of Daufuskie to become a destination for educational experiences.”
This vision is reflected in the engagement of community members, entities, foundations, and governmental organizations. DIIS thanks Haig Point Foundation for sponsoring two teachers for the winter semester, Daufuskie Island Conservancy for sponsoring the marine science program for winter semester, United States Tennis Association for sponsoring a tennis unit, and many generous community members that have monetarily supported DIIS’s programs.
Dr. Tennille Scheriff, Founding Principal of Daufuskie Island Independent School, is rather frequently asked if DIIS has thought about adding high school grade-by-grade. “For now, we are focused on helping students use these middle school years to become resilient, confident learners, prepared for a successful launch to high school. We want to be the best at what we do.”
– Kimberly Lundgren
DIIS Executive Director
HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
· Volunteer to share your talents by teaching a unit or coaching a sport in the 2024-25 school year.
· Help write grants to expand program offerings
· Fund a program
· Sponsor a teacher
· Learn more about simple ways to leave your lasting legacy on Daufuskie’s youth
www.diis-sc.org
