Philip Simmons Elementary, established in 2016, is located in Wando just outside of Charleston, South Carolina in Berkeley County. We have just successfully completed our third academic school year. This neighborhood school attracts people from all over the nation creating a rich and diverse population.
Our school is helping all students develop the World Class Skills and Life and Career Characteristics outlined in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. To achieve this goal, Philip Simmons Elementary School is committed to maintaining and achieving high standards, creating a school culture that supports and challenges our students and providing foundational skills for student success. Our School Renewal Plan contains action steps to improve academic performance as well as strategies to support our STEAM/Technology Strategic Plan. The teachers at this school are vested and participate in STEAM training to ensure that all students are equipped for the 21st century workforce.
World Class Knowledge
Philip Simmons Elementary School is helping all students develop college and career readiness through a dynamic curriculum that integrates the rigorous South Carolina Curriculum Standards. We utilize the District's common curriculum units in all core areas, plan and deliver relevant, student-centered STEAM units, utilize the Enhanced Balanced Literacy framework for ELA instruction, cultivate mathematical discussions, and infuse the arts throughout all areas of study. PSE is providing exceptional instruction by hiring and retaining highly effective and qualified teachers. Approximately seventy percent of our teaching staff have advanced degrees and/or are Nationally Board Certified.
World Class Skills
We implement an aggressive STEAM/Technology Plan for our students. As a STEAM school, our mission is to engage students in solving real-world problems through a transdisciplinary approach to learning focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. We strive to help students develop a love for learning and become creators, innovators, communicators, critical thinkers and collaborators. With the ongoing support of business partners, parents, and community members, we are able to provide students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences that cultivate World Class Skills through the use of our Makerspace and robotics in the classroom.
Life and Career Characteristics
In addition to a rigorous curriculum, high expectations for student achievement, and relevant learning experiences, our students learn to be good citizens through participation in numerous community service projects. Students gain global perspective as they learn how we are all connected and how they can contribute their time and talents to #makeitbetter. Career days, field experiences, expert speakers from the community, and parents expose our students to a variety of careers. Student leadership opportunities such as Student Council are designed to promote life and career characteristics that will carry over to their college and career successes. Through the character education program, which is aligned with the South Carolina State Department of Education standards, we recognize nine character traits that are introduced through guidance lessons and reinforced throughout the year. Our students are involved in multiple service learning projects: Recycling, Kids Who Care Program, and Environmental Philanthropy. These experiences help strengthen our students’ interpersonal skills, self-direction, and work ethic, while helping them develop local and global empathy.
Our parent body is one of the greatest treasures of our school community. Parents support their children and our school through homework and study help. They also support teachers and staff through their encouragement, resources, and a willingness to be involved.
Our District vision statement is “Empower all students for success.” At Philip Simmons Elementary School, we are proud to say that we are indeed empowering students for success in school, in the workplace, and in life.
We look forward to another successful year!
Shawna Berden, School Improvement Council Chair
Dr. Melissa Negreiros, Principal