Edith L. Frierson Elementary School is helping all students develop the world class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. We do this by providing a safe environment where staff, families and community support children as they explore an integrated, culturally diverse, and innovative curriculum that fosters critical thinking, and collaboration. We provide such an environment through the implementation of our vision: "Every child will be academically, socially, and emotionally prepared to be lifelong learners." Our vision is demonstrated in our use of multiple forms of technology to develop learners who are confident, competent, responsible, and self-motivated.
The School Improvement Council (SIC), the Friends of Frierson, and the principal sat down with parents and residents of District 9 (Wadmalaw and Johns Island) to see what they wanted Frierson to become. After a series of town hall meetings beginning in the Winter of 2016, the Charleston County School District (CCSD) agreed to fund and begin planning to change Frierson School of Technology into District 9’s first Montessori School.
Frierson will have two Primary classes of 3, 4 and 5-year-olds in the fall of 2018. The following school year, an additional Primary Class and a Lower EL Class of 6, 7 and 8-year-olds will be added to Frierson’s Montessori program. As students move up in age, new classes will be added until Frierson has a full Montessori program, Primary to Adolescent.
In preparation for this transition, during the 2017-18 school year our teachers’ professional development focused on student growth, personalized learning and student centered classrooms. Our teachers participated in an Instructional Technology Cohort where they learned strategies to implement balanced literacy and small group instruction in all classrooms.
During the upcoming year, our instructors in 1st grade through 5th grade will participate in their second year as part of the $2.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. As shared by the project creator, "The goal is to transform elementary schools in Charleston County into Talent Development Academies. Teachers will use rich, interesting, rigorous curriculum proven to be effective in improving student achievement and learning."
As we implement the 2nd year of the TDA (Talent Development Academy) Program in partnership with the College of Charleston, Frierson is proud of the fact that all of our teachers will be undergoing the training of "Gifted and Talented" instructors.
Frierson’s focus on critical thinking and problem solving has reaped some benefits and will continue to do so as we move forward. During the 17-18 school year, 80% of our 5th graders made 1 year’s growth in reading, this is higher than the District average of 55.7%. In the area of math, 70% of Frierson’s 5th graders made 1 year’s growth, compared to the District’s average of 55%. In 3rd grade, 67% made 1 year’s worth of growth in reading. In addition, our 2nd graders ranked higher than the District average with 60% obtaining 1 year’s growth in math and 62% of Kindergartener’s making 1 year of growth, again higher than the District’s 55% of students making 1 year of growth.
The faculty, staff and community of Frierson Elementary work hard to collaborate as effective teams. In doing so we have provided many opportunities for students to participate in learning experiences beyond the classroom. Our students present quarterly musical performances, participate in visual arts contests, and field experiences. Our students are involved in school-wide reading initiatives, The Reading Partners, and Terrific Kids Program, YoArt-Yo-Code, Grandparents Day, The School Garden, The 21st Century After-School program, Karate Club, ELF Morning News, The Crock-Pot Ladies-Cooking Club, Sign Language, STEP and Modern Dance Team, Track Team, Science Fair, Wellness Committee, Student Council, Sewing Club, and Service Learning projects. In the future we will continue to strengthen and increase our efforts to collaborate in order to provide enriching opportunities for our students.
With the support of our faculty, staff, administration, parents and the community we continue to grow academically and provide students opportunities for growth and success. Edith L. Frierson is an amazing child-centered environment that nurtures the development of the whole child, and the addition of the Montessori program will only support our overall goal of increasing student achievement.
Dr. Deborah Davis-Cummings, Principal
Ms. Sharaiah Choice-Watson, SIC Chair