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End of the Year Letter: 

Dear DMS Families and Students,

As we wrap up the 2024–2025 school year, I want to take a moment to say—thank you.

This year, our school community fully embraced the theme:
“Creating a DMS Experience with a Spark of Learning.”

Because of your dedication, creativity, and resilience, that spark became something real. Together, we created a school experience that extended far beyond the classroom—one filled with joy, challenge, growth, and connection. That’s the DMS way.

Here are just a few of the incredible things we accomplished this year:

  • We hosted our first-ever SC Ready Gala, celebrating over 75 students who scored Exceeds in Math and ELA, and honoring 12 exceptional educators.

  • We proudly recognized 3 Junior Scholars, welcomed 8 students into the National Beta Club, and inducted over 40 new Beta members.

  • DMS was featured in the Free to Focus State Campaign and was selected as the Distinguished Featured Middle School for South Carolina at the Leading Forward Conference.

  • Our athletic teams made a huge comeback, with several undefeated seasons and renewed school spirit.

  • We reconnected with families through parent workshops, subject-specific content nights, and engaging field trips that brought learning to life.

  • Programs like iWill Academy, Brighter Future Mentoring, and GT Extension (Positioned for Success)expanded and served even more of our students.

  • We implemented a new 80/20 paper-first model in math instruction, and you met that change with care and purpose.

  • Mid-year, we restructured our intervention model to better support inclusion and real-time assistance—keeping students and teachers at the center of the process.

  • And we brought energy and excitement back to school with events like FLEX Fridays, Club Days, Grandparents Day, school dances, and our Academic Banquet—showing that learning and joy can truly go hand in hand.

Looking Ahead to 2025–2026

As we move into a new school year, we’re excited to launch a new initiative:

The Bright Start Tutoring Program
This before-school program will offer targeted academic support to give students the boost they need to start each day with confidence and clarity.

Our new theme for 2025–2026 is:
“It’s the DMS Way.”
This isn’t just a slogan—it’s a commitment. A commitment to leading with Academics, Safety, and Culture First, and to building a school where every student wants to attend and every teacher wants to serve.

Our focus areas for next year include:

  • Improving student and teacher attendance

  • Strengthening math achievement

  • Reducing discipline referrals while increasing student supports and opportunities

  • Expanding professional development and leadership growth for staff

This team—our students, families, and staff—has done remarkable work. You’ve shown up for each other and for our entire community. I’m deeply proud of what we’ve achieved together, and even more excited for what’s ahead.

Let’s finish this year strong—and come back even stronger.
Because that’s the DMS Way.

With gratitude,


Principal Cooper

DCSD Opens Registration For 2025-2026 School Year

DCSD Opens Registration For 2025-2026 School Year

DARLINGTON, S.C. – Registration for new and returning students for the 2025-26 school year will open Monday, April 14, according to the Darlington County School District (DCSD). Registration must be completed by June 30, 2025, to guarantee bus transportation during the first two weeks of school.

DCSD continues to use the Final Forms registration system, which streamlines the registration process and provides easier records management. The Final Forms registration system is an email-based system that allows parents of current students to register students and upload the required proof of residency and other documents, such as updated records, sports physicals, and certain legal documents.

RETURNING STUDENTS:
Under the Final Form registration system, parents/guardians of returning DCSD students will be sent an email from "Final Forms Mailman" with a link directing them to log into their Final Forms account. If the parent/guardian does not remember his/her login credentials, there will be prompts such as “forgot username” or “forgot password”. If the parents/guardians get an “inactive” message when logging in, they should contact their child’s school. Returning students can also register through the ParentPortal.

Students who have applied to attend any DCSD magnet program or a different school through the district's Expanded School Choice program must register first with their home school during the online registration period.

Parent/guardians who need assistance with registration or obtaining login credentials can call their child's home school Monday - Friday from 9am until 2pm through the end of the school year. Every school will have staff ready to assist parents with the registration process. It is recommended that parents use a desktop or laptop computer or a tablet to complete the online registration process for ease of navigation.

NEW STUDENTS:
New students, including 4K and 5K students not previously registered, will register by clicking the School Registration icon on the front page of the district's website at www.dcsdschools.org. From there, new parents can create an account and complete the online registration process. Parents and guardians of new students should be prepared to upload a .pdf or .jpg file of the materials listed below. Parents who are unable to upload the documents should contact their home school.

Items needed for NEW student registration:

  • Proof of residency - A tax notice, a landline telephone bill, a bill for cable service connected to the residence, or a utility bill such as water, gas, and electricity will be accepted. A cell phone bill and/or a driver's license cannot be used to prove residency.
  • Immunization Record (this includes 7th-grade TDAP)
  • Birth Certificate
  • (For 4K Only) Proof of income/S.C. Healthy Connection Medicaid Card

 

Parents/guardians of new students who need assistance with registration can call their child's zoned school Monday - Friday from 9 AM until 2 PM through the end of the school year. Staff will be on hand to assist with registration questions as well as answer questions about the school itself.