A school constructed in 1953 has a new wing dedicated in 2025.
Sanders Middle School, on a sunny bright Thursday morning, officially opened its new wing which houses primarily 8th graders. Momentum for the stand-alone addition - rather than modifications to a legendary building on Green Street in Laurens - came in March 2024 as District 55 realized some additional state funding that could be used for construction.
The wing houses 6th grade English Language Arts, Montessori ELA, 8th grade math, science and South Carolina history, a special education room, an administrative office, and work and storage spaces. It has lockers, because a new state law says students have to lock up their phones throughout the school day.
On Thursday, the school’s leaders - The 8th Graders - were charged with the responsibility to getting maintenance of the new building off to a great start. “You set the standard for taking care of this building this year,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rhett Harris, “so the ones that follow you will do the same thing. Congratulations on this wonderful day at Sanders.”
“We have been working on this for quite some time,” said District 55 Board Chair Cathy Little. “There alumni association had a lot to do with encouraging us to create this space for the students.”
Superintendent Dr. Jody Penland handled introductions for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and organizing students, staff and guests for pictures. He enthused, “This is a great day for Sanders.”
Principal Jonathan Schwalbe and former principal Josh Dawkins challenged the students to realize that this is an investment in them. “I hope you enjoy the fruits of everyone’s labor and say thank you,” Schwalbe said. “Every day I tell these students that they are the best, and I make sure that they know they are the best, so it is only fitting that we have one of the best facilities here. “Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making this happen. Now we have the best facilities. Now we have the best that there is so that these students can show that they can be the best, because that is what is really is all about. It’s really all for you so I hope that you guys remember that.”
Dawkins said, “Day in and day out, while this building was being built on our campus, my students had to adjust and adapt to certain situations; and they were scholars and they were great students day in and day out. You set the standard to be the best, so with this facility right here, we will be sure that our students have what they need to be successful, and they will take care of it. You set the standard for the future students who are going to be here.”
Architect for the new wing of Sanders Middle School is McMillian Pazdan Smith Architecture, PLLC; and General Contractor is Edcon, Inc.
MORE: Sanders Middle School here.
Sanders Alumni Association here.
