Located within the city limits of Florence, SC, Delmae Heights Elementary School boasts a rich history and a diverse population. The school, originated in 1953, was reconstructed into a larger and more modern facility in 2017. Once a neighborhood school, it now includes students from the surrounding area as well as other areas of the city.
Our school is an award winning school. It has been the recipient of several Gold and Silver Awards, has received an Excellent School Rating for the past two years, is a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Lighthouse School and an AdvancED STEM certified school. Our First League Lego Robotics Team has won several regional and state wards. Our principal and assistant principal have both been named Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year for our district.
Most recently, this school year our school was named a Palmetto’s FinestSchool.
Our school is a Title One School. Of the 1,003 students presently enrolled, 68.3% pupil poverty rate. The FY25 plan to be implemented for the 2024- 2025 school year, as in previous years, has focused primarily on providing additional staff to support student learning.
Our goals for the 2023-2024 school year have focused on the areas ELA and Math. While our students have progressed consistently in these areas, there is still significant room for growth.
In addition to the required related arts - Physical Education, Music and Art, we have added a Writing Lab, Math Lab and IXL Learning Lab. This provides additional academic support to students.
All instruction and learning is planned around preparing our students to meet the South Carolina Profile of the Graduate. The purpose is to ensure that students are receiving “personalized competency based instruction”. Through the instructional program, extra-curricular activities and parent involvement our school is providing this for students.
It is our goal to challenge all students. Challenging our gifted and accelerated students is also a priority. Students who qualify for REACH (based on state requirements) have scheduled weekly classes with the REACH teacher housed in our building. In addition, our district has developed a locally identifiable program for accelerated students not meeting state guidelines. These students also receive instruction from the REACH teacher weekly.
Students receiving support through our enhanced learning program, receive support in the classroom in small groups, resource teachers pushing in ( inclusion) for a portion of the students resource time and with the addition of a classroom assistant to assist the resource teacher in the resource room.
The use of technology in the classroom that is specifically designed to close gaps and provide tutorial programs allows students to focus on specific goals both at school and home.
Our academic curriculum provide opportunities for students to engage in critical thinking and problem solving, collaboration and teamwork, communication, information, media and technology and knowing how to learn.
Our Language Immersion program (K-5) provides exposure and opportunities for learning in Spanish, our STEAM Lab engages students in science, technology, engineering and math beyond the regular classroom.
Our school ensures all students have the opportunity to be engaged in student activities and develop their own talents.
Students are given an opportunity to audition for chorus/drama, robotics and for the dance team. Applications for participation in safety patrols, the morning show, and art club are also made available to all students in these grades as well. Parents sign permission for 4-H and Good News Club.
Our school has a schoolwide Character Counts Curriculum. Students exhibiting the character traits of the curriculum ( respect, responsibility, cooperation, perseverance and orderliness) based on teacher recommendation and school discipline data are provided the opportunity to become safety patrols.
School Safety is also a key focus for our school. Drills, a Security Guard, SERT team, monthly meetings, go guardian, mandated reporting, office of safety and security, emergency for injuries, medical, severe weather, shelter in place, conversations and input with stakeholders all assist in ensuring that we are creating a safe environment for learning.
Parent engagement is key to the success of students in school. This engagement takes different forms at our school. Parents are involved and participate in their children’s learning through conferences, class dojo communication, volunteer opportunities, attendance at Family Nights and schoolwide fundraisers. They work hard to support learning by assisting with homework, reading to and with their child, attending parent workshops and establishing high expectations for academic success.
Our school’s APT (Association of Parents and Teachers) sponsors monthly Family Nights throughout the school year beginning in August with our Back to School Blast and ending in May with our Spring Fling. This parent group also supports our school through fundraisers, volunteers and special recognitions throughout the year for staff. A fall breakfast, Breakfast with Someone Grand, and a spring breakfast, Meaningful Morning with Mom, is also sponsored by this group.
The School Improvement Council is our stakeholder group that advises the principal and school to achieve continuous school improvement. Parents serve on this council.
Our school community includes our partnerships with our high schools, with institutions of higher learning, local businesses, leaders in our community. These partnerships include opportunities both on school campus and off campus.
The primary purpose of school is to educate students and prepare them for the future. This preparation takes various forms to include learning both in and outside of the classroom. It involves all stakeholders - staff, students, parents, and the overall community.
Expect Great Things is our school motto as we work to help all students develop the world class knowledge and skills of the Profile of the Graduate with a school-wide emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity.
Delmae Heights School Improvement Council
Roy Ann Jolley, Principal
