Sullivan’s Island Elementary is helping students develop world-class skills and life and career characteristics of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate by providing a safe, caring, and academically challenging learning environment.
Nestled just behind a maritime forest and directly adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean, our school is a Constituent Magnet with the school-wide theme of Coastal Environment Studies. The neighborhood attendance zone includes Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Goat Island, and Dewees Island. Additionally, Mount Pleasant, Awendaw, and McClellanville students may apply for available seats in grades K - 5.
At Sullivan's Island Elementary, our staff provides a student-centered learning experience by implementing our school’s vision: To grow inquiry-based learners equipped with the skills to explore and contribute as stewards of the world and our environment.
Students learn about the coastal environment through authentic math and science experiences in the two science labs, adjoining nature trail/beach, and school garden. Students regularly create models, work in groups to solve problems, and share their ideas through speaking, writing, drawing, and technology.
Our coastal environment teachers work closely with classroom teachers to focus on cross-disciplinary science instruction. We align and embed The Ocean Literacy Framework, The South Carolina College and Career Ready Science Standards, and National Science Teachers Association Science and Engineering practices across all grade levels. This year, we incorporated a Co-Teach model in which the classroom teacher and the science lab teacher instruct together to enhance coastal science education.
Special Area classes at Sullivan’s Island Elementary include Spanish, art, music, physical education, and technology. Additionally, students visit the science lab at least once a week. This past year, students also enjoyed morning club time with library, art, coding, chorus, and running clubs.
Following clubs in the morning, students participate in schoolwide social-emotional learning. This year we revised our “SOAR” program to include schoolwide common language and expectations to help meet our positive behavior goals.
Our school is committed to improving literacy skills and ensuring that all students are reading on grade level by the fifth grade. To assist in this effort during the 23 -24 school year, our staff focused on fine-tuning our process for collecting and responding to student data. We used student work samples and iReady data to inform small group instruction at all grade levels.
We are pleased to report that, thanks to the hard work and collaboration of many stakeholders, Sullivan’s Island Elementary improved student learning and well-being during the 2023-2024 school year. We look forward to sustained outstanding improvement in 2025!
Susan R. King, Principal
Elizabeth Crimmins, School Improvement Chairperson
