Centerville Elementary School is committed to help all students develop the World-Class Skills of the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. CES opened its doors to the Gilbert community in August of 2020 as the newest elementary school in Lexington County School District One. This state-of-the-art facility boasts 128,000 square feet of classrooms, labs, a large cafeteria, gym, and multiple offices and learning areas.

CES’s mission is to cultivate a caring community where ALL learners communicate, collaborate, create and think critically. Our vision is to prepare each child to design the future. To fulfill our mission and embody our vision, we commit to the following:

1. All students, regardless of circumstances, leave CES with the skills they need to succeed in middle school and beyond.

2. Teaching and learning develop power skills in all students.

3. CES is a service-oriented center of learning, committed to family and community partnerships.

4. Every adult at CES will be equipped with the skills, resources and support necessary to empower every child to be a successful learner.

 A core part of our beliefs at CES is to meet the unique needs of EVERY student. To accomplish this, we have three beliefs that drive our work. They are:

• ALL students can learn, and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure ALL students learn at high levels.

• Creating the right conditions, engaging experiences and high levels of learning are within our control.

• EVERY child is curious, passionate, and has dreams and aspirations that can take them anywhere.

In preparing students to be globally minded, all students participate in the world language of Spanish. Utilizing the resources from Library and Project Studio, we continue to support and integrate student research and project-based learning. These projects foster critical-thinking and problem-solving skills for collaboration and teamwork.

CES is a Title I school. In an effort to foster growth in mathematics and reading achievement, we continue to utilize the services of mathematics and reading interventionists. We also enlisted a parent liaison to establish and provide support in fostering and encouraging parental engagement and improved school attendance.

We work with our local faith-based organizations to provide students in our community with a backpack food program and school supplies needed to begin school. Additionally, families in need are connected with services for mental health, food services and holiday assistance.

CES has a very active SIC and a school-based Community Partnership action team. The musical theater and drama program hosted “The Little Mermaid, Jr..” The production featured more than 100 student dancers, singers, actors and performers. The audience included more than 1,000 parents, family and community members.

We look forward to continuing to build the legacy of our great school. As we say all the time: “CES — Start here. Go anywhere!”

P. Heath Branham, Principal

Megan Jaco, SIC Chair