Proudly celebrating our 43rd year of learning, we are Pepperhill Elementary, a neighborhood school located within the Charleston County School District in North Charleston, SC. We have accomplished so much this school year due to the tireless dedication of our staff, students, families, and community. We actively use the framework of Personalized Learning as our cornerstone to grow our students. Critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and effective communication are emphasized in daily lessons. Strengthening our student’s social/emotional skills through our adherence to the tenets of Responsive Classroom is at the center of all we do and provides a base on which we foster both the communication and collaboration skills of our students. Although we are in our first year of Responsive Classroom implementation, we have noticed a marked increase in students self-selecting practical strategies to help build both their academic and social-emotional competencies. Utilizing daily Morning Meetings and Closing Circles with content driven by Second Steps lessons, we have provided equitable and challenging learning experiences to continually foster these skills. We strive to create avenues for student collaboration and leadership such as Safety Patrol, Student Council, Bulletin Board Club, Recycling Club, and more.
We pride ourselves on providing a safe, nurturing, and challenging educational environment focused on the unique needs of each child. At Pepperhill families embrace our shared vision and are encouraged to participate in their children's educational experience through classroom visits, volunteer opportunities, PTO and SIC. We are proud to feature a strong Strings program for students in fourth and fifth grades. Through a partnership with the City of North Charleston, Artists-in-Residence visit our school to work with our students several times throughout the year.
As we examine the many variables present and work towards providing the most effective and efficient learning environment for all students, we will continually refine our practices and maintain focus on collaborating with all groups in order to effectively evaluate the best practices needed for student success. Pepperhill Elementary stakeholders will continue to work towards achieving goals for improved student achievement and focus our attention on providing a safe and healthy environment, hiring and retaining high-quality teaching staff, and building tomorrow ready leaders.
Tanya Underwood, Principal
Jessical Nackel, SIC Chair
