<![CDATA[The Academy for Teaching and Learning - Blog]]>Tue, 15 Sep 2026 18:35:20 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[MAP Testing Info and Dates]]>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 21:55:01 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/map-testing-info-and-datesMAP Testing
Students will begin MAP Testing Monday, August10.  The following information will help you better understand the schedule, scoring, and purpose for MAP.  If you have any questions, please contact us. 

What is MAP testing?
MAP® is an individualized, computerized test created by NWEA™ that kids take three times per school year (August, December, and March). The results provide teachers with information to help them deliver appropriate content for each student and determine each student’s academic growth over time.

When will my child be tested?
Kindergarten – eighth graders will be tested in reading on Monday, August 10 and math on Tuesday, August 11. Third – eighth graders will take the language test on Monday, August 17, while K5 – 2nd graders take the fluency test. Testing takes place for most students in their classrooms on laptops. Kindergarten and frist grade students take the tests in the computer lab. Any 3rd – 5th grader who scores below the 25th percentile in reading will also take the Fluency test.

How do teachers and schools use MAP data?
MAP helps schools and teachers know what your child is ready to learn at any point in time. Teachers can see the progress of individual students and of their class as a whole. Principals and administrators can see the progress of a grade level, school, or the entire district. Since students with similar MAP scores are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, it makes it easier for teachers to plan instruction. MAP also provides typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject, and have the same starting performance level. This data is often used to help students set goals and understand what they need to learn to achieve their goals.

What subjects are tested?
Students in K-2 will take reading, math, and reading fluency tests. Students in 3-8 grades will be tested in reading, language usage, and math. Fourth and sixth grades will be tested in science. For young learners, students wear headphones, since many questions include audio to assist those who are still learning to read.

What are typical MAP scores?
MAP scores begin around 140 for K5 up to 300 by high school.  Your child’s teacher can give you more specific scores during parent conferences. 
How do teachers record growth?
Students are given individual goals based on their previous MAP scores (in this case, those from last spring). We have found that individual goals allow students to see their personal growth and feel successful at their personal level.

How can my child prepare?
No preparation is needed, but a good night’s sleep and a good breakfast is recommended.  Please make sure your child charges their computer each night before testing and brings their charger with them. Students should arrive on time to school on testing days (August 10, 11, 17, & 18).  
]]><![CDATA[School Rules Brochure]]>Wed, 29 Jul 2026 13:41:58 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/school-rules-brochure
]]><![CDATA[4th Quarter Honor Roll]]>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:19:29 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/4th-quarter-honor-roll63304373rd Grade 
All A's 
Beam, Luca Blace
Grant, Hunter Benjamin
Kelsey, Wilkes
McAbee, William Brooks 
Shirley, Avery Kate
Wilburn, Brilee Shyann
All A's & B's
Bagley, Murphy Kate
Cudd, Addison Renae
Hawkins, Anna Beth
Hill, Carley Michelle
Hoopaugh, Lorelai Lee
Hunnicutt, Emmett Reeves
Jacobs, Annie Elaine
Lee, Ruby Claire
Nunnery, Catherine Anne
Wallace, Easton Alexander
4th Grade
All A's 
Hembree, Draven Ac
McCandless, Layla Rose
All A's & B's
​Cole, Zoey Ariana
Hair, Delilah Ann
Hoopaugh, Spencer Keith
Hudson, Allie Reese
Laws, Kyler Jordan
Mayhugh, Ellerry Jean
Mobley, Graycen-Blair
Mobley, Harper-Reese Allyn
Orr, Hensley Grace
Roof, Brookelyn Hope
Stevens, Easton Chase
Stevenson, Evie Elise
5th Grade
All A's
Brown, Camden Avery
Gates, Hannah Lucille
Keenon, Jaxston Phillip
Mobley, Olivia Kate
Sinclair, Mia Bryte
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All A's & B's
Callahan, Connor Keith
Ellis, Paisley Ellis
English, Layken Elias Yates
Grant, Henry Levi
Hammond, Julianne Sloan
Nichols, Allison Nicole
Nunnery, Michael James
Partain, Isabella Marie
Reed, Abigail Journey
Shannon, Genevieve Munro
Simpson, Tori Noel
6th Grade
All A's
Clowney, Ella Catherine6A's
Faulkenberry, Delilah Anne6A's
Green, Miles Scott6A's
Wilson, Jaxson Brooks​
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All A's & B's
Caldwell, Alana Skylar
Cusanno, Ellie Rose
Garcia, Holly Hope
Gaston, Easton Blair
Hutto, Eli Madison
Hyslop, Camryn Grace
Jacobs, Jaxen Tate
Jordan, Chyanne Grace
Jordan, Kyler Malachi
LaRussa, Paul John
McMurray, Reese Elizabeth
Mobley, Annsleigh Reese
Mobley, Nicholas Paul
Morgan, Cranford Kilgo
Pickett, Ryleigh Jana’e
Roof, Kensley Faith
Slack, Addison Lilly
Widener, Maci Reese
7th Grade
All A's
Boyd, Riley Elise
Brown-Smith, Milanya Ann-Marie
Crowl, Savannah Lynn
Patton, Jasmine Raine
Ramey, Aubrey Scott
Robinson, Daniel Ray
Shepard, Emma Grace
Stroud, Ariel Janay
All A's & B's
Grant, Bryson James
Hall, Bridges Tillman
Liggins, Adyson Janay
Reed, Levi Israel
Sisk, Dani Brooke
Widener, Kamron Lee
8th Grade
All A's
Brooks, Jermani' Latoya
Burgess, Alana Joy
Cabaniss, William Levi
Duncan, Addison Kay
Evans, Clara Lynn
Luchey, Sir Alexander Angelo
Marsh, James Floyd
Partain, Caroline Makenna
Raines, Tylynn Elyse
Rawls, Lily Kathryn
Sanders, Abel Carter
Scott, Hopelynn Laura Mariah
Shannon, Alister Henry
Williamson, Micah Hunter Thomas
Wishert, Bella Danyelle
All A's & B's
Evans, Caleb Devon
James, Eliam Drake
Leary, Matthew Jayce
Robbins, Lilly Lynn
Roberts, Lillian Flynn
Sealey, Piper Elizabeth
Ussery, Joel Amos
Weldon, Letitia Myalyn
Wheeler, Julian Rives
Wilson, Ryder Shawn
]]><![CDATA[Non-discriminatory Policy]]>Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:52:50 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/non-discriminatory-policy​Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students


The Academy for Teaching and Learning admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs
]]><![CDATA[ATL School Reading Plan]]>Tue, 21 Oct 2025 20:28:01 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/atl-school-reading-planBelow you will find the reading plan for The Academy for Teaching and Learning. Please click below to see the strategy and goals for our school. 
 
Reading Plan]]><![CDATA[2nd Quarter Service Project]]>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 16:37:14 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/2nd-quarter-service-project3985752For our second quarter service project, we will be collecting items for Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child provides shoeboxes filled with necessities and fun items to children in impoverished countries. We are asking each student to bring $1 AND an item from the list below in new condition to help their class sponsor a box. Each box costs $10 to send, and your monetary donations help us cover that cost. Please send money and items by November 7.  If you’d like to make additional donations, we gladly welcome them. Please see the list below for suggested items by grade level.
  • Kindergarten – a toothbrush
  • 1st grade – play dough
  • 2nd grade – hairbrush
  • 3rd grade – Hat (child sized) or hair accessories (ponytail holders, barrettes, etc.)
  • 4th grade – coloring book or drawing pad
  • 5th grade – stickers
  • Middle School – small toy (yo-yo, jump rope, Lego set, toy cars, small stuffed animal or doll, ball)
Additional items/suggestions: (for those who’d like to donate more)
  • Craft or jewelry kit
  • Binoculars
  • Puzzles
  • Sunglasses
Please keep in mind that these items must fit in shoebox when purchasing them. Thanks in advance for your help in making this a success! We look forward to serving others through this project!]]><![CDATA[Gifted & Talented Testing]]>Tue, 14 Oct 2025 15:54:34 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/gifted-talented-testingOVERVIEW
  • The South Carolina Gifted and Talented Grade 2 Assessment is a statewide assessment used to identify student for district gifted and talented programs. Students are identified for this program by demonstrating high performance ability or potential in academic and/or artistic areas. 
  • In accordance with State Board of Education 43-220, the South Carolina Department of Education provides aptitude and achievement assessments for this purpose. 
  • Although the primary purpose of these assessments is to identify students for the gifted and talented program, the student results can be useful to teachers as they examine their instructional practices. These results can also help teachers identify teaching strategies for all students. 
  • All students in Grade 2, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners (MLs), must be administered CogAT (the Cognitive Abilities Test) and the Iowa Assessments, except those students who qualify for the alternate test as determined by their IEPs. 
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TESTING WINDOW
The state testing window is October 6 - 28, 2025. ]]><![CDATA[Car Line Map & Procedures]]>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 15:42:31 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/car-line-map-procedures
Picture
Car line begins at the loop on Henry Woods Dr. For drop off and pick up, please enter College Street extension from Columbia Street and loop around in front of the building, turning right on Henry Woods Drive. Please turn right when leaving car line to avoid any issues with those still waiting. Most importantly, please be courteous of our neighbors and do not block their driveways at any time. 
]]><![CDATA[Fall MAP Testing]]>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 13:36:19 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/fall-map-testingThe Academy will be MAP testing on August 11, 13, & 14. Students will take the reading or fluency test on August 11, language or fluency on August 13, and Math on August 14. Below are some tips to help your child be successful:
  • Ensure that your child has a good night's sleep.
  • Feed them a healthy breakfast or arrive in time to eat breakfast at school. 
  • Come to school on time. 
  • Make sure their laptops are charged. 
Thanks for helping your student succeed!
Click for more information on how MAP scores are used and what they mean.
]]><![CDATA[Enrollment Info]]>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.atlchester.com/blog/enrollment-infoIf you are interested in enrolling a student in The Academy, please come by the office between 8:00 - 3:00 and fill out a registration form. It is helpful if you bring a birth certificate and social security card for the student(s) you are registering. Once you will out the registration form, office staff can give you information on waiting lists, as that varies by grade level.

Annual registration for Kindergarten is open for all students who will be 5 by September 1 of that year. Registration for kindergarten ends on February 28 each year. A lottery may be used to  determine your child's enrollment status based on the number of registrations we have. 
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Feel free to call our office at 803-385-6334 if you have any questions. ]]>