Richard Carroll Elementary School (RCES) is located in rural Bamberg County. RCES is a small neighborhood school serving grades Pre-K through Sixth with approximately 650 students and approximately 95 faculty and staff members. It is dedicated to helping all students develop the world class knowledge, skills, and life and career characteristics of the South Carolina graduate. RCES is a school where teachers and staff truly care about our children.
Highly qualified, dedicated faculty and staff carry out the mission and vision of RCES daily to ensure rigorous instruction is aligned to the South Carolina College and Career Ready standards. Using a wide variety of teaching methods and developmentally appropriate instructional strategies, teachers help each student reach his/her full potential. Teachers incorporate technology into daily lessons as well as collaborate with the media specialist and computer science teacher to build digital literacy skills. Teachers, the literacy coach, interventionists, and administration collaborate and analyze multiple sources of data to provide research-based interventions to effectively meet the academic and social needs of all students. Demonstrating the importance of being lifelong learners, faculty and staff members participate in professional development throughout the school year.
RCES provides leadership and essential life skills opportunities through programs such as Safety Patrol, Flag Patrol, Good News Club, and Backpack Buddies. RCES students were involved in community outreach this year. Students collected and donated over 3,600 non- perishable food items to a local food bank and collected can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.
Our established partnership with Nikki Haley’s Original Six Foundation provides a fully-funded after school program. Students enjoy STEM activities once a week via USC Salk STEM Ambassadors and even experienced a field trip to Congaree Golf Club. The Original Six Foundation also sponsors the My First Library where every student in kindergarten receives ten new books in order to build his/her very own home library.
RCES has an active School Improvement Council (SIC) and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). This year our SIC has focused on streamlining its goals with school goals in order to ensure all plans are aligned with a common mission. The SIC and PTO collaborated to accomplish these goals. PTO has been an integral part in helping the SIC meet its goal to improve the school climate. The PTO hosted events such as offering student incentives for academics and positive behavior, teacher and staff appreciation events, family and community engagement activities, such as Muffins w/Mom, Grits with Grown-ups, Back to School Bash, Fall Carnival, Sneaker Ball, and so much more.
Though a small-town school, RCES delivers an educational experience that far exceeds expectations. The education and growth of our students is the driving force behind everything we do. However, we don't achieve our success alone. It takes a committed team effort from the school staff, families, community members, and business partners all working together toward that common goal. Together with our stakeholders, we are developing our future South Carolina graduates.
Mandy Edwards, Principal
Carla Jowers, SIC Chair
